SAF News

UMISARC announces fully paid scholarship for MA Program at Pondicherry University for the session of 2015-17

Sixteen fully paid scholarships are awarded to MA students from South Asian countries (eight boys and eight girls). The scholarship award covers the entire tuition fees, travel (round trip economy airfare only for international students) boarding and lodging at Pondicherry University for two years. All selected scholars are entitled for a monthly stipend of Rs. 10000/ PM during their course period...

Inauguration of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS).

On 16th April, 2015 the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS) was inaugurated in Bumthang by Her Royal Highness, Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck in the presence of the Honourable Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji, Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee-MSF and the Chairman of the SAF-Bhutan Chapter, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup. The solemn occasion was marked by prayers, was also attended by Mr. Navin Chawla, Advisor-MSF and former Chief Election Commissioner of India

Annual Report covering UNESCO’s actions throughout 2014: Non-Governmental Organizations, official partners of UNESCO

I am pleased to announce the release of the UNESCO’s 2014 Annual Report covering UNESCO’s actions throughout 2014. This publication is available.....

Mme France Marquet representative of MSF & SAF attended a Special event - UNESCO: 70 years in the service of human dignity

On the occasion of its 70th anniversary and of the UN Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), UNESCO is presenting an emblematic show combining singing, music, and monumental audiovisual screening.....

Mr N Ram, President, MSF & Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF interact with UMCSAJ Scholars

Mr N Ram, President, MSF and Mme France Marquet, MSF Principal Trustee and SAF Trustee attended a meeting in Chennai with Mr Sashi Kumar, Chairman, Asian College of Journalism and SAF Scholars...

Extract from Pondicherry University Newsletter

Madanjeet Singh; A Humanist and Philanthropist says, The Kabul Times

Born in Lahore on April 16, 1924, late Madanjeet Singh was graduated from the Lahore government college and then earned M.Sc. in Technical Chemistry from the Italian Institute for Middle and Far East in Rome....

Her Royal Highness PrincessAshi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck inaugurated the UNESCO–Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studie

Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck inaugurated the UNESCO–Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE), Lamai Goempa, Bumthang on the 16th of April 2015.....

Inaguration of UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies

Her Royal Highness, Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, France Jacqueline Pierrette Marquet (wife of the late ambassador), Agriculture Minister, Yeshey Dorji, and chairman of the SAF in Bhutan, former minister Sangay Ngedup, graced the inauguration.

On Amb. Madanjeet Singh Birthday Anniversary: Taal Music School organized a memorial service

Mme France Marquet, MSF & SAF representative, attended a talk by Shri Naredra Modi at UNESCO Headquarter

The Prime Minister of Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, visited UNESCO headquarters to mark its 70th anniversary. Speaking to a cheering, overflow audience on his first official visit, he used the occasion to emphasize the importance of India’s relationship with the Organization.....

Mr Muhsen Wahidi, UMISAA Scholar is invited to participate in Biennale Arte 2015

Mr Mohsen Taasha Wahidi is 2nd Year SAF Scholar at UMISAA, Lahore. SAF family congratulates him and UMISAA

The UMIKS (UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies) scholars attending special course at JMI

UMIKS Scholars are attending Two months special course at Jamia Millia Islamia University....

UMIKS Director Prof Gull Wani calls on Governer

Prof Gul Mohammad Wani, Director, UMIKS (UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH INSTITUTE OF KASHMIR STUDIES), University of Kashmir, called on Governor NN Vohra, chairman of the UMIKS governing body, here at the Raj Bhawan Today.....

Ms France Marquet SAF representative to UNESCO, participated to the forum

How can education effectively promote respect for diversity and Tolerance? Over the past few months, the surge in terrorist attacks, racism, antisemitism, islamophobia and other forms of intolerance, and persistent conflicts along ethnic and religious lines have claimed the lives of many....

Ms France Marquet SAF representative to UNESCO, participated to the forum “Fighting Racism and Discrimination"

“Fighting Racism and Discrimination: History, Memory and Contemporary Challenges” Event in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.....

Dr Nischal N Padey, SAF Nepal Chairperson, handing over a Cheque of NPR 30,000 to Taal Music School

Ms Hanifa Alizada, UMISAA Scholar is participating in East West Art Festival, Opening on 19 March 2015

SOCIAL ANIMALS’ , Group Show at Alliance Francaise ; a Painting-Bordeaux project in collaboration with NIV Art Centre at Alliance Française, in partnership with Alliance Francaise de Delhi , City of Bordeaux, General Council of Gironde, Korean Cultural Centre, Japan Foundation, French Institute of Paris, French Institute of Afghanistan, Embassy of India in Afghanistan, Artistik Rezo, Samsung.

Invitation : Round table "How can education effectively promote respect for diversity and tolerance?

Ms. Mingmar Sherpa, former SAF-Nepal scholar and Mr. Indrajee De Souza, Former SAF-Sri Lanka scholar with their ward

SAF Congratulates Mr Arshud Hussain Malik on successfully completion PhD programme at UMIKS

Ms Hanifa Alizada, UMISAA Scholar's Solo and Group show in Delhi on 28 March, 2015 at NIV Arts Centre

Invitation for Ms Hanifa Alizada, UMISAA Scholar's Solo and group show in New Delhi,India. Hanifa Alizada was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan, in 1989. When she was 8 years old, her family migrated to Tehran, Iran, as a result of civil wars and deteriorating conditions in her country at the time...

Scholarships open for Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, UMCSAJ, Last date 6 April, 2015

UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH CENTER OF SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISUM (UMCSAJ) announces FULLY paid scholarship for Postgraduate Diploma in Journalisum. Last Date to receive the nomination from South Asia Foundation Chapters is 6th April, 2015....

Call for Nomination :- 2015 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General of the Natural Sciences Sector is pleased to announce that the call for nominations is now open for the 2015 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. Nominations will be accepted until 29 May 2015. Nominations should be submitted to Director-General by .....

Article published on UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh in INQUILAB- Sun 25 Jan & 01 Jan 2015

Where do we fit in Art work ? An art work by Hanifa, UMISAA Alumni, described by Maureen Korp PHD

Afghan artist Ms Hanifa Alizada,UMISAA Scholar, is a photographer. She is the first artist to have her work sent on tour by the World Bank. “Through the Eyes of a Woman” is a solo exhibition of Hanifa Alizada's photography....

South Asia Foundation pays tribute to Amb Madanjeet Singh

The South Asia Foundation pays tribute to memory of its founder and rededicates itself to achieving his vision for the South Asia region on his 2nd Death Anniversary...

UMISAJ Alumni at Bandra Fort

I had the opportunity to come to Mumbai for a mini ACJ reunion. While in Mumbai I had the opportunity to meet my classmates who work for different media houses in India....

Art work by Mr Mohsin Taasha, 2nd Year SAF Scholar at UMISAA

Mr Mohsin Taasha, SAF Scholar from Afghanistan has series of Exhibitions across the Globe. His next Exhibition will be in Sweden.

SAF Scholars hold 1 & 2 position in Master of Arts, UMISARC

SAF Scholars of 2014 Batch Mr. Kishor Bikram Shah conferred as First Rank Ms Rashmi Mahat Second Rank among all the students pursued for MA Program under UMISARC........

SAF is going to the New Generation

Truly Historic photo of the newly born SAF child of former Nepali & Sri Lankan scholars Ms Mingmar Dolma and Mr Indrajeet D’ Zoysa

UMISAA Scholar, Ms Sundas Matloob has series of Exhibitions

UMISAA scholar, Ms. Sundas Matloob, who is currently a student of MA program in Art and Design Studies at School of Visual Art and Design, had her work exhibited.....

Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson, SAF-Nepal presenting the “Culture of the Sepulchre” to Mr Suleyman Sensoy, Chairman TASA

Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson, SAF-Nepal presenting the “Culture of the Sepulchre” of Amb. Madanjeet Singh to Suleyman Sensoy, Chairman of the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM), in Istanbul on Dec. 5th. Dr. Muharrem Ozev, Director of the TASAM Institute of Islamic Countries was also presented.....

Message on the occasion of the 30th SAARC Charter Day by Hon'ble Secretary-General Shri Arjun B. Thapa

Message on the Occasion of the 30th SAARC Charter Day by Hon'ble Secretary-General Shri Arjun B. Thapa

Article by Mr M Zakaria, SAF-Scholar at UMIKS :A people centric proposal to SAARC

Mr M Zakaria is SAF Scholar at UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies, Kashmir University, Srinagar, India.

Ms. Mussarat, Alumni of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), working with TV channel in LA, USA

Ms. Mussarat, First Batch Alumni of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), working with TV channel in LA, USA

Dr Sayed Mossadeq Khalili, Minister and SAF-Afghanistan Director, participated in a panel discussion on the 18 SAARC Submit

Hon'ble Dr Sayed Mossadeq Khalili, Deputy Minister of Culture of Afghanistan and Director of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute in Kabul, Ms Chime Palden Wangdi, General Secretary of the Tarayana Foundation and SAF-Bhutan, Vice Chairperson; Dr Nischal N Pandey, SAF-Nepal Chairperson participated in a panel Discussion on the 18 SAARC Submit in Kathmandu.....

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SAF and BNU to establishment & Management of UMISAA -Renewed on November 2014

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH INSTITUTE FOR SOUTH ASIAN ARTS (UMISAA) AT BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE

Proceedings of the Award Ceremony : UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2014

Proceedings of the Award Ceremony: UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2014 for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence

Slide Presentation by Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson, SAF- Nepal in the Meeting of Governing Council

Dr Nishchal N Pandey briefed the activities took place in 2014 of UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC). Nepal has a maximum number of SAF alumni from ALL SAF Institutions of Excellence.....

Slide Presentation by Mr Hamidullah Arefi, SAF- Afghanistan, Secretary in the Meeting of Governing Council

SAF-Afghansitan briefed the activities took place in 2014 and shared future Plan with slide show.

Laureates : 2014 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2014 for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence

SAARC Delhi Declaration pushes for better education

NEW DELHI: Education Ministers and officials of eight South Asian countries have resolved to collaborate on increased use of information technology and improving the quality of education. At the second meeting of Education Ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) here on Friday....

2nd Meeting of SAARC Ministers of Education/Higher Education

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation - 2nd Meeting of SAARC Minsters of Education/Higher Education .....

Ms France Marquet represented SAF to the Launch Ceremony for 70th Anniversary of UNESCO Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Ms France Marquet represented SAF to the Launch Ceremony for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Award Ceremony : UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2014 for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence

Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UNESCO, and Ms France Marquet, Principal Trustee of the Madanjeet Singh Foundation, request the pleasure of your Company at the ward Ceremony for the 2014 UNESCO Madamjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence....

UNESCO MADANJEET SINGH INSTITUTE OF KASHMIR STUDIES (UMIKS ) Celebrated Diwali together

Last night we all celebrated Diwali, its was biggest happiness for us we are able to cross the religion.. In Kashmir Indeed very nice to hear that..

Second Solo Exhibition by Ms Ayesha Sultana from Dhaka, Bangladesh, First Batch Alumni of UMISAA

Ms Ayesha Sultana from Dhaka, Bangladesh, First Batch Alumni of UMISAA is organizing her second solo Exhibition in Rome, Italy

Renewal of South Asia Foundation official relations with UNESCO for Six-year term

Ms France Marquet represented SAF at the COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS during the Executive Board Meeting

Ms France Marquet represented the South Asia Foundation at the COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS during the Executive Board meeting

Nobel Peace Prize: Director-General congratulates Malala and Khailash Satyarthi

Oslo/Paris, 10 October: Education activists Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay have won the Nobel Peace Prize "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” Both laureates have been working closely with UNESCO to promote education, especially for girls and for child labourers. The Director-General of the Organization, Irina Bokova, issued this statement on the awards:

Ms France Marquet Trustee MSF-SAF represented South Asia foundation at International Conference of NGO-UNESCO

Ms France Marquet Trustee MSF-SAF represented South Asia foundation at International Conference of NGO-UNESCO Partners NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee 2013-2014

2014 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.

Ibrahim Ag Idbaltanat (Mali) and Francisco Javier Estevez Valencia (Chile) to share 2014 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence

Ms France Marquet, represented SAF-MSF at International Day of Peace on 19 September, 2014 in Paris

Ms France Marquet, Trustee MSF-SAF represented South Asia Foundation and attended the round table on the occasion of the international Day of Peace at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

Ms Ayesha Sultana, First Batch Alumni, UMISAA participating in ‘Open Studios Reception‘

Ms Ayesha Sultana from Dhaka, Bangladesh, First Batch Alumni of UMISAA is participating in ‘Open Studios Reception‘, organized by Delfina Foundation, London

UMIKS Scholars evacuated by SAF-India

SAF Scholars of UMIKS who were evacuated by SAF-India from Srinagar following unprecedented flooding were brought to Delhi. They visited SAF-India office on 18th September, 2014.

SAF UMCDSRC Scholars at National College, Kathmandu

A Group photograph of UMCDSRC (UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation) Scholars at National College, Kathmandu University

Feedback from Mr Sher Ali, Alumni of UMISAA, Lahore

During my four years of study at BNU Lahore, which has an ideal and artistic atmosphere, I was fortunate enough to experience living with SARRC students. This provided me with an opportunity to learn, understand and familiarize myself with different cultures of this region.

Mr Sahan Randeniya, UMCDSRC Scholar, sharing experience.. Being a scholarship holder

His Excellency Dr. Madanjeet Singh, an artist, writer, diplomat and philanthropist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador created the South Asia Foundation in 2000 as a regional youth movement and it has now grown to have chapters in eight countries. His dream was a united South Asia....

Report by Ms. Urishna Shakya, UMCDSRC Scholar

Having chosen Development Studies for my undergraduate was solely my decision based upon the dream to better the lives of the people in terms of having a happy living and getting the opportunity to study your favourite subject under full scholarship is an utter fortune....

Shri Navin B. Chawla & Dr Nishchal N Padey meet all SAF-Nepal Alumni

Over the last decade, it has become quite a large number of SAF-Nepal Alumni who have joined various professions and some are even studying/working abroad. They shared their experiences and gave feedback to Shri Navin B Chawla, Advisor, MSF....

A New begining to build healthy relationship:Academicians

SAARC countries as a new beginning in building healthy relationship with its neighbors. The view came to the fore at a round table conference at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies (UMIKS) on Wednesday...

Feedback from Mr. Aminul Islam (SAF Scholar from Bangladesh) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

I am greatly thankful to South Asia Foundation (SAF), Bangladesh Chapter, which provided me a handsome scholarship to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (New Media) at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, India.

Feedback from Mr Abhaya R. Joshi (SAF Scholar from Nepal) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

The 10 months at ACJ were fruitful, interesting and worthwhile. The Key Issues and the Media Perspective lectures were the highlights of the course for me...

Feedback from Ms Priyakala Manoharan (SAF Scholar from Sri Lanka) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

A philanthropist, late Madanjeet Singh offered me a life changing experience which I would not have got without his sponsorship. Thanks to his generosity and benevolence.

Feedback from Mr Faraan Tarique (SAF Scholar from India) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

The SAF program brings people of different nationalities together which allows them to learn about each others' cultures...

Feedback from Mr Zayan Asif (SAF Scholar from India) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

The SAF scholarship has supported and enhanced my stay at Asian College of Journalism in every way imaginable. Without the scholarship, I would have either been unable to, or found it really difficult, to join the college. At the end of my course, I am really grateful to South Asian Foundation for their support.

Feedback from Ms Pynshisha Khar Hujon (SAF Scholar from India) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

It is a privilege for me to be included in the SAF scholarship (2013-2014). I am immensely blessed and really grateful to the SAF administrators.....

Feedback from Ms Nirmala Pokhrel (SAF Scholar from Bhutan) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

Had it not been the SAF scholarship I would have never got a chance to do my PGDJ in ACJ, thanks to it and the college faculty.....

Feedback from MsTashi Tenzin (SAF Scholar from Bhutan) at UMCSAJ, 2013-14 Batch

The entire course for me was very much relevant. The first term course that covers all four streams I found it good idea, as it gives...