Berhampur University India inked MoU with German varsities

It will facilitate exchange of teachers and students between the two universities

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Berhampur University and University of Tubingen of Germany on Saturday.

This MoU would facilitate exchange of teachers and students between these two universities and also joint research projects between these two universities in the field of social sciences. According to director of college development council of Berhampur University, Bishnu Charan Choudhury, this is the first time that Berhampur University is coming up with such an MoU with any foreign university.

Dignitaries present

The signing of the MoU took place at the Biju Patnaik auditorium on Berhampur University campus. Vice Chancellor of Berhampur University Deepak Kumar Behera and head of department of social and cultural anthropology department of University of Tubingen, Roland Hardenberg, signed the MoU of behalf of the respective universities. Teachers, students and staff of Berhampur University and dignitaries of Berhampur were present on the occasion.

Signing of MoU was followed by the Sadasiba Tripathy Memorial Lecture. The speakers were Prof Hardenberg and his wife Andrea Luithle-Hardenberg. Prof Andrea is also from department of social and cultural anthropology of University of Tubingen. They spoke on their socio-cultural anthropologic studies in India.

Jagannath cult

Prof Hardenberg gave an elaborate analysis of Sri Jagannath cult of Puri and the rituals related to ‘nabakalebar’ of the deities at one of the four revered ‘dhams’ of Hindus. It may be noted that ‘nabakalebar’ rituals which are usually held in 12 years are to be held in Sri Jagannath temple next year. During ‘nabakalebar’ the old deities are replaced by new ones which match the reincarnation theory believed by the Hindus. Prof Hardenberg said although he could not enter the Sri Jagannath temple as non-Hindus are barred from entering it he made all efforts to get information needed for his research from most authentic sources. He said that ‘nabakalebar’ of the Sri Jagannath cult was a unique tradition.

Prof Andrea spoke on her research related to the Jain ‘Bal Munis’ of western India.

MoU with University of Tubingen will facilitate exchange of teachers and joint research in social sciences