New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) The South Asian Network of the German government's Goethe-Institut Sunday announced a fully funded fellowship to further boost cultural relations with India and create cultural leaders.

The fellowship, named ARThinkSouthAsia, in its first edition has selected 17 fellows from across the region, the Goethe-Institut said.

The fellowship is designed to help develop skills, knowledge, networks and experience of potential leaders in the cultural sector which includes museums, the visual and performing arts and digital media.

'We believe that by supporting exceptional individuals to make a step-change in their skills and career potential, we can bring substantial benefit to the cultural field as a whole,' said Stefan Dreyer, regional director (south Asia) of the institute.

The fellowship will be blend of both theory and professional training and will consist of five to six modules which includes latest thinking in cultural management in areas such as strategic planning, project management, strategic finance and fundraising, marketing, communication, and internet technologies amongst others.

These modules will be led by a mix of Indian and international professional trainers and academicians and will be supplemented by expert guest lectures.