The Sil Foundation for Higher Education is a non-for-profit organization created by a donation from Dr. Shomir Sil, Professor of Finance at Purdue University Calumet. Established in September 2009, the primary purpose of the foundation is to provide assistance to students from the Peoples Republic of China and India as they pursue their academic goals and future success. Prospective college and high school students are provided assistance through a variety of programs including admission counseling, a summer camp, cultural tours and other activities, which are designed to enhance their academic and social lives during their stay in the United States. The foundation also provides training to English language teachers in China. An equally important purpose of the foundation is to assist the city of Hammond in its Economic Development efforts. The foundation assisted in establishing a sister city relationship between Hammond, Indiana and Shahe City, Hebei province, Peoples Republic of China. The Sil Foundation is the official liaison between Shahe City and the city of Hammond. The foundation helps to create an environment in which Shahe and Hammond creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects.