APJ Kalam, a former president of India and the driving force behind the country's missile programme is to give a lecture at Queens University.
Professor Kalam is also being awarded an honorary degree by the Belfast university in June.
He was president of India from 2002 to 2007.
Dr Satish Kumar from Queens said the university was delighted to welcome such an "eminent and leading academic".
The lecture is part of Queens' second India lecture series.
Dr Kumar said: "Queens' has long and established links with India and on recent trips to New Delhi and Kolkata reinforced our commitment to engage with its higher education sector on mutually beneficial initiatives.
"Our first India Lecture Series last year was developed as part of Queen's Centenary Celebrations. We are delighted it is returning for a second. "