P. Lazarus Samraj ., Co-ordinator
UGC approved to establish the South Asian studies programme in May 2005 in order to promote and encourage area studies in Pondicherry University. The Centre attempts to coordinate academic studies, outreach programs and research relating to countries in South Asia as well as to serve as a forum for disseminating policy choices. The Centre is aware of its responsibilities in promoting cultural understanding of the people of South Asia and with its scholarship programmes to students of South Asian countries it is able to leap several bounds distinctively from other conventional centres.
Thrust Area of the Centre for South Asian Studies
- Poverty eradication and regional cooperation.
- Illiteracy, Malnutrition in South Asian Countries
- Impact of globalization in South Asia
- Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia
- Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
- Ethnic Issue
- SAARC
- Prospects of Economic integration of South Asia
- Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for the promotion of multi-party democracy in South Asia.
- Study on refugees.
Academic Programs
The Centre for South Asian Studies offers Master’s Degree in South Asia. The following are the requirements to earn the Master’s Degree.
The course of study shall be for the duration of two academic years with four semesters. The total number of days will be 200 working days inclusive of study tour and material / date collection in connection with the dissertation work and exclusive of admission and examination work.
The Centre will accommodate one student from each SAARC country in every academic year for the MA. in South Asia program under group scholarship funded by South Asia Foundation.
The following is the syllabus for M.A South Asian Studies
M.A International Relations and South Asian Studies (2008-2010)
I-SEMESTER
1. International Relations I (HC 4)
2. Colonialism and Nationalism (HC 4)
3. Regional Cooperation (HC 4)
4. Contemporary Area Studies (HC 4)
5. Human Right and South Asia (SC 3)
II-SEMESTER
1. International Relations II (HC 4)
2. Foreign Policies of South Asian Countries (HC 4)
3. Economic Development of South Asia (HC 4)
4. Society and Culture (HC 4)
5. Government and Politics of South Asia (SC 3)
III-SEMESTER
1. Research Methodology (HC 4)
2. Regional Cooperation in South Asia (SC 3)
3. SAARC Studies (HC 4)
4. Contemporary Issues in South Asia (HC 4)
5. International Organizations (SC 3)
IV-SEMESTER
1. Dissertation (HC 4)
2. Viva (HC 2 )
Hard Core (HC) = 48
Soft Core (SC) = 12
Soft Core =12 (from other Departments)
Application Process
To be considered, applicant must: (1) have secured at least 55% in their graduate degree program (any degree). (2) Successfully clear the entrance examination conducted by Pondicherry University (this does not apply to students from South Asian Countries)
For the batch (2008-2010) the last date for applying for the course has been extended till August 30 th, 2008. However in the subsequent years, the Centre for South Asian Studies program will be in conformity with regular University deadlines. Application form can be downloaded from the University website.
Regular application will be available for the sale from the third week of March every year at the University. It can be obtained by post from The Deputy Registrar (Academic II), Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar, Puducherry 605 014 by sending a crossed DD in favour of the Finance Officer, Pondicherry University, payable at Puducherry. The tentative last date for submitting the filled in application forms will be the last week of April. Also refer University admission notification issued on newspapers and websites.
South Asia Foundation (SAF) Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship
SAF – Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship is a unique feature of South Asian Studies Programme at Pondicherry University. Eight scholarships are awarded to Master’s students from South Asian countries (Four Girls and four Boys). The scholarship award covers the entire tution fees, travel (round trip economy airfare only for international students) boarding and lodging at Pondicherry University for two years. The South Asian Foundation Chapter from each SAARC country (i.e.) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will select one candidate and inform its selection to the university. Candidates interested in this scholarship will have to directly apply to the SAF Chapter in their respective countries. Visit www.southasiafoundation.org for more details. For further information mail Mr. Karan Khosla, Director of Operations, South Asia Foundation. Karankhosla@safmail.org.
Facilities Available at the Centre
The Centre is newly established and has good infrastructural facilities. Air Conditioned Computer lab, seminar hall, LCD and slide projector are available for the students. In addition to that, the Centre with a spirit of promoting international education to students will impart new and innovative educational methods and techniques. Frequent guest lectures from eminent faculty members from other Universities both from India and abroad will be periodically arranged to; enable students to have a wider perspective on their area of study. Conferences and seminars wall be arranged at frequent intervals to enable students to grasp the contemporary research areas in the discipline. The Centre for South Asian Studies has sufficient funds to procure books and journals according to its needs and preferences and students can have the flexibility to discuss with the Coordinator about the utility of any book and procure them immediately.
International Journal of South Asian Studies
In order to promote research in South Asian Studies and to create a from for academia of all international Institutions who are involved in South Asian Studies, the Centre for South Asian Studies has taken an innovative initiative of introducing an International Journal for South Asian Studies from 2008. It aims to provide a forum for academic research in areas relating to political, social, economic and cultural cooperation; among South Asian countries for a sustainable development of the South Asian region. The first issue of the IJSAS has been released by Hon‘ble Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer.
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