INSTITUTIONAL REPORT
International Academic Collaboration
and Global Engagement
Documentary Draft | 2024–2025
K. M. AGRAWAL COLLEGE OF ARTS, COMMERCE AND SCIENCE
Kalyan (West), Maharashtra, India
Draft prepared from the attached appointment orders, institutional letters, certificates, invitations and publication evidence.
1. Executive Summary
K. M. Agrawal College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Kalyan (West), has strengthened its international academic profile through sustained engagement with higher education and cultural institutions in Uzbekistan. The documentary record demonstrates a progression from faculty mobility and teaching to joint academic programming, scholarly publication, public lectures, conference participation and cultural diplomacy.
A major foundation of this engagement was the appointment of Dr. Manish Kumar Mishra of the Department of Hindi as Professor of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair of Hindi at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies (TSUOS). His overseas assignment created an institutional bridge between the College, ICCR, the Embassy of India in Tashkent and Uzbek universities. It subsequently supported wider interaction with TSUOS, Alfraganus University and the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS), Samarkand, an institute associated with the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme.
The College’s internationalisation is therefore not limited to individual participation. It includes documented institutional acceptance of collaboration for an international conference, teaching and curriculum contributions abroad, student mentoring, expert participation, public lectures, research presentations, an edited scholarly volume and engagement with a UNESCO-linked research institution.
2. Collaboration at a Glance
3. Key Documentary Indicators
Three principal international institutional partners documented: TSUOS, Alfraganus University and IICAS.
One sustained overseas faculty deployment through ICCR at a foreign university.
One jointly planned international online conference formally accepted by two Uzbek partner institutions.
Multiple academic outputs: teaching, mentoring, curriculum work, expert participation, public lecture, research paper and edited publication.
Recognition of contribution to Hindi and Indo-Uzbek cultural relations by the host university and the Embassy of India.
4. Detailed Narrative of International Collaboration
4.1 Government-Supported Faculty Mobility through ICCR
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, appointed Dr. Manish Kumar Mishra as Professor of the ICCR Chair of Hindi at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies for one academic year with effect from 30 January 2024. The supporting travel certificate records his departure for Tashkent on 31 January 2024, with expenses arranged by ICCR under the MoU between ICCR and TSUOS.
The assignment represented an important form of faculty mobility and international academic service. It enabled the College’s faculty expertise in Hindi language and literature to contribute directly to a leading Uzbek institution while promoting India–Uzbekistan educational and cultural cooperation.
After completion of the overseas tenure, ICCR’s Zonal Office, Mumbai, formally relieved Dr. Mishra on 25 April 2025 to rejoin his parent institution, K. M. Agrawal College, on 26 April 2025. This sequence establishes the official connection between the international assignment and the College.
4.2 Collaboration with Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies
TSUOS records show that Dr. Mishra served in the Faculty of Oriental Philology and Translation and contributed to Hindi education. The university’s letter of appreciation specifically acknowledges his professionalism and academic dedication and records contributions to curriculum development, student mentorship and cross-cultural academic initiatives. The letter further notes that these activities advanced Hindi language education, strengthened Indo-Uzbek cultural dialogue and produced lasting benefits for the faculty and student community.
The wider engagement included active participation in departmental activities and service as an expert at the scientific and practical conference of talented students titled ‘Countries of South and Southeast Asia: Issues of Language, Literature and Translation’ on 29 April 2024. In September 2025, Dr. Mishra also presented the paper ‘Indian Knowledge System and Uzbekistan: The Fabric of Relations’ at the international seminar-conference ‘The Reflection of Culture and Traditions in Literature’ hosted by TSUOS.
4.3 Collaboration with Alfraganus University
The academic network expanded to Alfraganus University, Tashkent. Documentary evidence records a public lecture conducted by Dr. Mishra for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students of the Faculty of Social Sciences. This activity broadened the reach of the College’s faculty expertise beyond language instruction to interdisciplinary engagement with social science students.
The relationship subsequently acquired an institutional dimension. By letter dated 19 August 2025, Alfraganus University formally accepted K. M. Agrawal College’s invitation to cooperate in conducting the International Online Conference on ‘Central Asia: Literary, Cultural Scenario and Hindi’ scheduled for 20–21 September 2025.
4.4 Collaboration with IICAS, Samarkand
The International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS), Samarkand—identified in its official letterhead as an institute of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme—formally accepted the College’s invitation to collaborate in the same international online conference. Its letter dated 11 August 2025 appreciated the initiative of Principal Dr. Anita Manna and highlighted the importance of shared Silk Roads heritage for strengthening cultural communication and solidarity between Central and South Asia.
IICAS later invited Dr. Mishra to the official launch of the book ‘Nowruz Traditions along the Silk Roads: Sociocultural Significance of Shared Cultural Heritage’ in Samarkand on 8 November 2025. The invitation requested congratulatory remarks and offered to cover economy airfare, accommodation and meals. This reflects a relationship extending from event collaboration to international scholarly and cultural-heritage engagement.
5. Joint International Conference and Scholarly Output
A significant institutional outcome was the International Online Conference on ‘Central Asia: Literary, Cultural Scenario and Hindi’, held on 20–21 September 2025. Formal letters from both IICAS and Alfraganus University confirm their acceptance of K. M. Agrawal College’s invitation for cooperation. The theme placed Hindi studies within a wider framework of Central Asian literature, culture, shared heritage and the historical Silk Roads.
The collaboration also generated a visible scholarly network represented by the edited volume ‘Central Asia: Literary, Cultural Scenario and Hindi’, edited by Manish Kumar Mishra, Alisher Ikramov, Sherdor Pulatov and Parveen Kumar and published by Anang Prakashan. The volume demonstrates sustained academic association among scholars connected with India and Uzbekistan and provides a durable research output for the international engagement.
6. Recognition and Cultural Diplomacy
The international engagement received recognition at both university and diplomatic levels. TSUOS acknowledged Dr. Mishra’s contribution to Hindi education and Indo-Uzbek cultural dialogue. The Embassy of India in Tashkent conferred the ‘International Hindi Sevi Samman 2025’, recognising his contribution to the promotion and service of Hindi. These honours strengthen the visibility of K. M. Agrawal College as an institution contributing to the global presence of Hindi and to India’s cultural diplomacy.
7. Institutional Outcomes
Global visibility: The College’s name and faculty expertise became associated with leading Uzbek universities, an ICCR Chair and a UNESCO Silk Roads–linked institute.
Faculty internationalisation: A faculty member completed a substantial overseas teaching assignment involving curriculum development, mentoring and academic service.
Academic networking: The engagement connected the College with scholars, administrators and students across TSUOS, Alfraganus University and IICAS.
Research and publication: Conference participation, research presentation and an edited volume created tangible scholarly outputs.
Hindi promotion: Teaching, public lectures and recognition by the Embassy of India advanced Hindi language and literary studies abroad.
Cultural diplomacy: The initiatives supported Indo-Uzbek dialogue through language, literature, shared heritage and Silk Roads studies.
Platform for future cooperation: The documented relationships provide a foundation for MoUs, faculty/student exchange, joint research, translation projects and recurring conferences.
8. Recommended Next Steps
Convert successful event-based cooperation with TSUOS, Alfraganus University and IICAS into formal institutional MoUs wherever feasible.
Maintain a central register of international invitations, letters, programmes, attendance, publications, photographs and participant data.
Develop recurring joint activities such as guest lectures, faculty exchange, student interaction, translation workshops and collaborative research projects.
Record measurable indicators for each activity, including countries represented, participants, papers, publications, student beneficiaries and follow-up outcomes.
Create an ‘International Collaboration’ webpage on the College website linking verified reports and selected documentary evidence.
9. Evidence Register
The following attached documents were used in preparing this draft. Duplicate scans are consolidated. The Wilson College Board of Studies letter has not been treated as international collaboration because it concerns a domestic academic appointment.
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