US Consulate Signs MoU To Open American Corner In Kochi

KOCHI (IANS) – The US Consulate General Chennai and the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) signed a memorandum of understanding on February 16 to establish an American Corner on the CUSAT campus here.

US Consul General Christopher W. Hodges and CUSAT Registrar V. Meera signed the MoU in the presence of CUSAT Vice Chancellor P.G. Sankaran on the sidelines of a visit by a US education trade delegation of 18 US universities to CUSAT.

The new American Corner at CUSAT will eventually join a network of more than 600 American Spaces spread across India, Asia and around the globe. The American Spaces program is a flexible partnership model the US runs globally.

The American Corner will renew the vibrant programs of an American cultural space in Kerala since the 1970 closure of the USIA cultural center in Thiruvananthapuram.

The American Centre Chennai will directly support the new American Corner, which will offer reliable academic and research resources via its eLibraryUSA platform, English language, skills and professional development programs, media literacy workshops, exchange opportunities with US institutions, and advising services for study in the US.

The American Corner partnership will also serve as a basis to create more opportunities for student exchanges and research partnerships between CUSAT and American universities.

Like all American Corners around the world, the activities at CUSAT will be free of charge and open to all.