---
title: "UNHCR, SICCI and Ethiraj College sign MoU to boost refugee inclusion in India"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/unhcr-sicci-ethiraj-mou-refugee-inclusion-pzkcp
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Society
published: 2026-08-18T19:02:52.399Z
modified: 2026-08-18T21:30:07.274Z
language: en-IN
---

# UNHCR, SICCI and Ethiraj College sign MoU to boost refugee inclusion in India

The UNHCR, SICCI, and Ethiraj College for Women have formalized collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding to advance education, research, and community engagement for refugee self-reliance in India. The MoU designates Ethiraj College’s Department of Social Work as the coordinating nodal bo

## Key takeaways

- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to enhance collaboration on refugee education, research, and community engagement in India.
- Ethiraj College for Women will coordinate activities through its Department of Social Work, supported by UNHCR and SICCI's Partnership Forum.
- The alliance explicitly includes Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu as part of its scope.

## What Happened

The UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, joined with the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and Ethiraj College for Women (Autonomous) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration on education, research, and community engagement focused on promoting refugee self-reliance and inclusion in India. Ethiraj College will contribute its academic expertise, while UNHCR and the SICCI-UNHCR Partnership Forum will provide technical and operational support to advance the plan. The Department of Social Work at Ethiraj College will serve as the nodal department to coordinate and implement collaborative activities. The MoU was signed with the presence of UNHCR Head of Field Office Valan Michael.

The partnership explicitly notes its relevance to refugees in India, including Sri Lankan refugees residing in Tamil Nadu, as described in an official UNHCR release.

## Why It Matters

The agreement seeks to align higher-education resources, NGO networks, and refugee-focused programs to improve education access, research opportunities, and community initiatives that can foster self-reliance among refugee populations in Tamil Nadu and broader India. By consolidating academic and field expertise, the collaboration intends to create sustainab le pathways for refugees to participate more fully in local economies and social systems.

## Background

The collaboration brings together Ethiraj College for Women’s academic leadership, the UNHCR’s field presence, and SICCI’s regional business network through its partnership with UNHCR. The arrangement builds on ongoing efforts by the SICCI-UNHCR Partnership Forum to support refugee self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion in India, incorporating the college’s Department of Social Work as the coordinating node for activities.

## Key Facts

- Parties involved: UNHCR, SICCI, Ethiraj College for Women (Autonomous).
- Formal mechanism: Memorandum of Understanding signed to advance education, research, and community engagement for refugee inclusion.
- Nodal coordinating body: Department of Social Work at Ethiraj College for Women (Autonomous).
- Signatories: P. Ganapathi (former SICCI president), V.M. Muralidharan (Chairman, Ethiraj College for Women), S. Uma Gowrie (Principal and Secretary, Ethiraj College for Women).
- UNHCR presence at signing: Valan Michael, Head of Field Office, UNHCR.
- Scope noted: Includes Sri Lankan refugees residing in Tamil Nadu.

## What Happens Next

The statement outlining the MoU indicates ongoing collaborative activities will be coordinated through the Department of Social Work, with the aim of implementing programs that support refugee inclusion through education and community engagement. Specific next steps and timelines are not detailed in the source material.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/unhcr-sicci-ethiraj-mou-refugee-inclusion-pzkcp
Reported from: Multiple Sources