The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) is a unique bi-national educational enterprise that promotes understanding between India and Canada through scholarly activities and research. The Institute funds research, links institutions in the two countries, and organizes seminars and conferences. It is named after Lal Bahadur Shastri, a distinguished mediator and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966.

Founded in 1968 with a grant from the Indian government, the Shastri Institute originally sought to encourage Canadian teaching and research on India. Focussing on the humanities and social sciences, it funded fellowships and distributed books and journals to the libraries of its Canadian member institutions. The Institute's success in sparking interest in India Studies among Canadian academics led to a reciprocal interest in Canada among Indian scholars. In the 1980s, SICI began to promote Canadian Studies in India and later expanded its activities to include development studies and research.

The Shastri Institute membership includes 30 universities in Canada, the Museum of Civilization, and 43 universities/institutions in India. The Institute’s mandate has expanded to include law, science, technology, economics, management, environment, education (including distance education), and the arts.

Earl Choldin
Executive Director
220-7467
sici@ucalgary.ca
www.sici.org