UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies

About Department

The University launched Post Graduate Programme (M.A) in South Asian Studies in the Centre for South Asian Studies during the Academic year 2008-2009 under the XI plan. Since 2008, the South Asia Foundation (SAF) has been supporting the Centre with 16 Madanjeet Singh Group (MSG) Scholarships to students (two - one male, one female - from each SAARC country) to pursue this course. The teaching and research in South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University received major fillip with the signing of an MoU between Pondicherry University and the SAF on June 20, 2009 for the establishment of the Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation (MISARC). In the year 2010, the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed to associate with all the institutions of excellence established by SAF including MISARC of Pondicherry University. Hence, it has been now renamed as UMISARC (U stands for UNESCO). The Institute has thus become truly global.

The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Monmohan Singh, inaugurated and dedicated the Institute on 29 June 2012 for promotion of peace and co-operation among the SAARC countries. The syllabus of Post Graduate Programme in South Asian Studies has been uniquely designed to provide cutting edge knowledge of South Asian history, society, culture, economy, governance and politics, etc., from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students are expected not only to develop broad knowledge base to critically understand contentious issues concerning South Asia, but also offer a holistic perspective to address them and contribute towards promoting peace and cooperation in the region. Along with the publication of an International Journal of South Asian Studies, the Institute offers a broad research platform for refined academic debates with regular guest lectures by eminent scholars, diplomats and policy makers etc., besides various academic activities. The Institute offers Ph.D programme from the academic year 2010-11.

Entrance Examination

For M.A in South Asian Studies, the question paper will have objective type questions with multiple choices in the areas of contemporary South Asian society, culture, politics, economy and foreign policy. For Ph.D programme, the question paper will consist of objective type questions in the areas of contemporary international and South Asian affairs, political systems, economy, history and foreign policy of South Asian countries and research methodology.

 

THRUST AREAS OF TEACHING AND RESEARCH

Political Ideas, International Relations Theory, Contemporary International Relations, Government and Politics in South Asia, Foreign Policy of South Asian Countries, South Asian Regional Cooperation, Peace, Stability and Security in South Asia, South Asia in World Affairs as well as Economic Development, Society, Culture and History of South Asia.

SALIENT FEATURES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INSTITUTE

  • Offering 16 fully paid MSG scholarships, including travel, boarding, lodging and tuition fee, to South Asian students including Indian students based on gender equity.
  • Merit - cum - Means scholarships for eligible students.
  • Subject to availability of funds, offering a number of visiting research fellowships of Ph.D.
  • Collaboration and exchange programmes with prestigious foreign and Indian Universities.
  • Interactions with distinguished Indian and foreign scholars through seminars, conferences, workshops, and lecture series.
  • A leading library specializing in South Asian Studies as well as cultural subjects of arts and literature.
  • Creating a hub for research on regional cooperation in South Asia through networking with other Centre of South Asian Studies in the country and overseas.
  • Promoting international cultural convergence of talented writers, musicians, dancers and other art practitioners.
  • Policy inputs to the policy makers of South Asian countries in general and India in particular for promoting peace, regional cooperation and development.

 

Publication


Programmes Offered

M.A. South Asian Studies

Ph.D South Asian Studies

 

Gallery

UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies
UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies
UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies

Infrastructure Facilities

The Institute has good infra-structure facilities including computer lab (28 Systems) with internet connections, LCD projectors etc., to support teachers and students in their pursuit of academic excellence. The Institute is housed in a centrally air-conditioned grand UMISARC building with fully furnished and well equipped class rooms, auditorium and seminar hall with state - of - the art audio-visual facilities. The Institute has developed a separate library for teachers, researchers and students, who can access facilities available at this library along with the Central Library.

Faculty

Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor

Research Activities

Political Ideas, International Relations Theory, Contemporary International Relations, Government and Politics in South Asia, Foreign Policy of South Asian Countries, South Asian Regional Cooperation, Peace and Security in South Asia, South Asia in World Affairs as well as Economic Development,  Society, Culture and History of South Asia

Contact Us

Dr. D. Purushothaman, Associate Professor & Centre Head, UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies, School of Social Sciences & International Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605 014.
2654587
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