Centre for Southern Asia Studies Programme

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.