The year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the Department of African Studies at the University of Delhi, South Asia’s oldest and only dedicated African studies center. Established in December 1954 and formally inaugurated on 6 August 1955 by Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the department was founded to foster a deeper awareness of Africa through interdisciplinary teaching and research.
The platinum jubilee celebrations at the University, brought together diplomats, academics, and students for a vibrant commemoration. The event began with a warm Welcome Address by Prof. A. S. Yariungam, Head of the Department of African Studies, which set the tone for an afternoon of reflection and celebration.
The Special Guest Address was delivered by H.E. Nandini Singla, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), who praised the department’s role in strengthening India–Africa cultural and educational ties. The Chief Guest, H.E. Ermindo Augusto Ferreira, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mozambique to India, underscored the growing significance of people-to-people connections in diplomacy.
The Chairperson’s Address was given by Prof. Dr. Neera Agnimitra, Chairperson of International Relations, University of Delhi, who highlighted the department’s academic leadership. Guest of Honour, Anoop Lather, Chairperson of the Cultural Council, DU, spoke about the department’s contribution to the university’s global outlook.
The celebration also acknowledged the constant support of Prof. Yogesh Singh, Honourable Vice Chancellor and Patron of the department, in expanding its reach and impact.
A special highlight of the day was the official launch of The Indian Journal of African Studies, marking another milestone in the department’s academic journey and reaffirming its commitment to producing original scholarship on Africa–India relations.
Over the decades, the department expanded its academic offerings—from research degrees and Swahili language programs to new initiatives such as the Master’s in African Studies and the Post Graduate Diploma in International Trade with Africa introduced in 2022–23. Its library, with around 4,000 resources and access to global e-collections, remained a vital research hub.
Seventy years on, the Department of African Studies continues to serve as a bridge between the two regions—cultivating cultural understanding, shaping policy discourse, and inspiring future collaborations. As it entered its eighth decade, it reaffirmed its founding vision, adapting it to a rapidly changing academic and geopolitical landscape.
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