The above is the portrait of Dr. Raja Ramanna and the NIAS National Institute of Advanced studies. This campus is a separate entity established in 1988 as an independant autonomous organization since inception within the campus of Indian Institute of Science. Decades ago I used to walk into this place and listen to lectures.. I have met and spoken to Dr. Raja Ramanna myself at this place.
NIAS has affiliations with many universities and offers Doctoral programs. The unique aspect of this place is its inter-disciplinary nature with departments in Science ,Engineering,Economics and Humanities and even areas of Sociology.
It is worthy to have a look at how this institute is organized.Basically there are four schools under which many programmes run.
The four schools are SCHOOL OF CONFLICT AND SECURITY STUDIES ; SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES ; SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING and SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES.
It is worthy to have a look at some of the key programmes at these schools.
At the SCHOOL OF CONFLICT AND SECURITY STUDIES they have the International Security studies program which focus on the diplomatic and technical components of International security from various stand points of Security abilities and delivery systems.There are programmes on Conflict resolution, Science and Technology of International relations and many such similar studies.Needless to say such research and learning have a major relevance in the world that we live in.
At the SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES there are progrrames on Heritage, Science and Society.. Conciousness Studies programme that focusses on issues of human wellness and the like.Humanities would also cover many technical areas of Economics and Sociology.
At the SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING there are academic activities on Climate Change and its effects...Animal behaviour and cognition..issues of Energy and Environment.
Finally at the SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES the focus is on various aspects of Education, Inequality and Human Development,Urban studies including Urban mobility and Urban economics.
It is worthy to note that the NIAS indulges itself in a large set of academic areas very relevant and futuristic and the institute contributes in a big way in being proactive to study various emerging concerns and areas leading in providing priceless inputs to the Government and the community at large.
