EU grants Rs3.5 crore to Mumbai University for research on diaspora, migration

European Union (EU) has made a grant of Rs 3.5 crore to the University of Mumbai. The fund will be used for the study of `Diaspora and Migration', under the  Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITNCoHab) project, Dr Rajpal Hande, Director, Board of College and University Development (BCUD), told PTI.

The project will last for four years. "The Marie Curie Initial Training Network is carrying on such research under the auspices of the European Union. Now along with the Muenster University of Germany, Oxford University, Stockholm University and the London School of African & Oriental Studies, the University of Mumbai is joining in," Hande said.

Due to the migrations of huge populations all over the world, concepts such as  `home'  and `belonging' have become exception rather than a rule. "This has led to dramatic changes and challenges before the cultural, social and political fields. The study of diaspora and migration has, therefore, evolved into a burgeoning field of research with an urgent practical relevance," he said.

According to a report of the Geneva-based `World Organisation for Migration', the total population of migrants in the world in year 2000 was 15 crore, which rose to a 21.40 crore by 2011. "This  means that a population equivalent to that of a small country is living a migrant's life," he said.