Indian priest named Regional Coordinator of Bangkok based Asian Research Centre (ARC)

Father Robin Xavier Chittuparambil, a Vincentian Priest from Kerala, joined Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication (ARC) as coordinator of ARC India to promote research in the fields of religion and social communication in the Indian context, said Devine Word Father Anthony Le Duc, executive director of ARC. 

As coordinator, Father Robin is tasked with establishing the core team whose collaboration will determine ARC activities in India in the future.

The ARC facilitates and supports research on subjects related to religion and social communication in Asia. 

It publishes relevant studies and research in the bi-annual journal titled Religion and Social Communication. It promotes related publications in the field, develops a network of interested researchers and institutions, and fosters interreligious dialogue and cooperation in the field.

ARC is based in Thailand, but its network is international from the beginning, with individuals in the network from many countries. The establishment of local ARCs is meant to promote greater research in particular countries. 

"At present, we have established local ARCs in India, the Philippines, and Vietnam," Father Anthony told RVA News.

"We are aiming for one or two countries in each part of Asia—South, East, and Southeast as ARC regional country research centers. We cannot cover all of Asia. We are still trying to expand and develop our network," he added. 

Father Robin is a member of the Vincentian Congregation in the Syro-Malabar Church with its Generalate at Edappally in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

He currently serves as the Vice-Principal of the De Paul Institute of Science and Technology, Kerala, South India.

With his expertise in the fields of interest to ARC and his present role in administration at an academic institution, Father Robin is in a favorable position to foster collaboration among individuals and institutions as well as promote research in the Indian context. 

The ARC is an independent research center proposed by 23 Asian scholars at a Roundtable on Church/Religion and Social Communication Research sponsored by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences-Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) in April 1999 at Assumption University in Bangkok.

The participants proposed a permanent center to secure ongoing and coordinated research in the field.

Since its foundation, ARC has acted as an independent research center affiliated with St. John's University, Bangkok.

Some of its partners are Saint John's University, Bangkok, Thailand; University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines; Saint Joseph Freinademetz Communication Center, Inc. Manila; College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines; Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India; St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, India; Taleem Research Foundation, Ahmedabad, India; Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA), Ahmedabad, India.