The University Grants Commission sanctioned Southern Asia Studies Programme to Pondicherry University under its Area Studies Programme in June 2005. As per the UGC guidelines, the Centre is headed by the Director, who is assisted by a Post-Doctoral Research Associate. The area of teaching and research under the auspices of Southern Asia Studies Programme is wider than South Asian Studies in the sense that the Southern Asian region covers not only SAARC countries, but also a part of West Asia, East Asia and South-East Asia. To be more precise, this region covers the area from the Gulf of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca.
In formulating and coordinating its programmes, the Centre is guided by an inter-disciplinary Advisory Committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University. The Centre is offering Ph.D programme since the academic year of 2011-12.
Objectives
- To promote a comprehensive understanding of social, cultural, economic, political and strategic dimensions of the study area.
- To offer vitally important inputs to the policy planners to formulate policies advancing India’s economic, strategic and political interest; and
- To promote research with emphasis on comparative study of the issues and problems between the regions.
Southern Asia Studies Programme is currently located in School of Social Sciences and International Studies building. It has necessary infrastructure for carrying out research activities. A separate section has been allocated for Southern Asia in Central and School libraries for researchers working in this field.
- Ph.D. in Southern Asia Studies
The question paper will consists of objective type questions in the areas of contemporary international affairs, research methodology and political system, economy, history and foreign policy of India and a few important countries of Southern Asian region.
In order to achieve its cherished objectives, this Programme intends to carry out following activities:
- Offering financial assistance for field trips, subject to availability of fund, to Ph D students of the centre.
- Conducting study and research on different aspects of Southern Asia through a multi-disciplinary approach.
- Setting up of library and documentation centre.
- Publishing of books, monographs, occasional papers, and journals.
- Net-working with other centres in India and abroad, which are working in this area.
- Organizing seminars, conferences, workshops, lecture series for benefit of faculty, researchers, and students as also for providing policy inputs to decision makers.
- Organizing workshops for businessmen and industrialists and officials to ponder over ways for promoting intra-regional trade and cultural exchanges.
- Collaborating with the concerned ministries of the Government of India such as External Affairs, Defence, Culture, Commerce, Environment, etc.