School: School of Social Sciences

International Peace Research Initiative (IPRI) was launched in July 2018 at NIAS, Bangalore. Supported by KAS, the Initiative has the following five components:

• Preparing an annual on global armed conflicts and peace processes
• Basic research and publications, with a policy focus on “Peace Research”
• NIAS-KAS “Peace Lecture” Series
• Creating a Network of Institutions and Scholars
• Capacity Building among Young Scholars
• Department of International Studies and History, Christ University, UMISARC in Pondicherry University, Stella Maris College in Chennai and Centre for South Asian Studies in Kathmandu are the network partners.

The KAS is a German foundation that works on five broad areas: Foreign and Security Policy; Economic and Energy Policy; Rule of Law; Social and Political Change and local Self-Government; and Training programmes for students of journalism. The Department of International Studies has collaborated with KAS in supporting two national conferences on non-traditional security threats. The foundation also has been supporting the International Peace Research Initiative in which Christ University is a network partner. The KAS has extended its fellowship programme for higher studies in Germany to the students of CHRIST.

Harvard-Yenching Institute is an independent foundation dedicated to advancing higher education in Asia in the humanities and social sciences, with special attention to the study of Chinese culture. The Department of International Studies and History, CHRIST hosted a 10-day workshop on ‘Teaching about China in India: Faculty Training Workshop’ in January 2017 in collaboration with the Harvard-Yenching Institute and the United Board. As a follow-up the Department has introduced language and subject courses related to China from the academic year 2018-19.

ICS and CHRIST through the Department of International Studies and History have agreed to promote academic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides through programmes involving: exchange of institute faculty members, researchers and students; internship to students of the University; exchange of academic information, including library materials and research publications; joint research activities including seminars, conferences, symposia and research projects; design courses and/or input modules therein; and such other activities which are mutually agreed upon from time-to-time;

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) and NIAS have been collaborating on various academic activities that ranges from hosting joint seminars, conferences and workshops. Students of the Department of International Studies and History have been benefitting by the internship opportunity at NIAS. Christ has hosted scholars visiting NIAS for talks and interaction with students and faculty at the Department. They have agreed to conduct collaborative research and publications.

Department of International Studies and History, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) and United Services Institution of India  (USI), New Delhi  has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 20, 2016 to promote joint research and co-education programe on national security. Founded in 1870, United Service Institution of India is the oldest defence research institute in Asia.  USI is managed by the three services of the Indian armed forces- Army, Navy and Air Force. Apart from conducting studies on national security, Armed Forces Historical Research and United Nations Peacekeeping, it organizes strategic studies and simulation on issues of national and international security. USI and Department of International Studies and History are decided to conduct joint seminar and workshop, apart from taking up research projects jointly.  USI also provides 4 weeks training-cum-simulation exercise on national security and strategy for CHRIST (Deemed to be University) interns, and also arranges field trip to National Archives and other strategically important locations in Delhi.

The exchange of the agreement was facilitated with the presence of Lt Gen (Retd) P. K. Singh, PVSM, AVSM, Director General USI; Maj Gen BK Sharma(Retd), AVSM, SM Deputy Director (Research) and Head Centre for Strategic Studies and Simulation (CS3); and Dr Roshan Khanijo,  Senior Research Fellow & Research Coordinator CS3,  and Father Dr Jose CC, Director,  Department of International Studies and History; and Dr. Joshy M. Paul, Assistant Professor, Department of International Studies and History.

Initiated in 2017, four primary academic institutions of higher learning in Bangalore have come together to collaborate on wide-ranging academic activities in the city. To begin with, they have agreed to host panel discussions on important global issues of current relevance.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Christ University by the partner institutions in this regard. The QUAD has been successful in offering the strategic community in Bangalore on a common platform to interact with the students and scholars and also in creating a network of scholarship in Bangalore comprising both senior and young scholars.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary Kanagawa University has contributed to the development and prosperity of society by producing skilled graduates who have entered the business and other fields. The University has evinced keen interest in Student Exchange Programme. A team from the Kanagawa University visited CHRIST in early 2018 to explore the possibilities of further collaborations and academic exchanges. A draft of the MOU has been exchanged with the visiting team which would be finalised in due course.

Date: 24 July 2018 (Tuesday)
Time: 11-1 pm
Venue: Conference Room, Central Block, Christ (Deemed to be University)

A delegation comprising Dr PrashanthKidambi and Dr Ruth Young from the University of Leicester visited the Department of International Studies and History on 24 July 2018. All the Department’s faculty were in attendance. After the initial presentations of each institutions, the discussion centred on various academic collaboration. The main areas for collaboration identified were: collaborative research, student exchanges, participation in distance learning, twining programmes, joint consultancy projects, visiting fellowships and doctoral and post-doctoral opportunities for students. The visiting delegation expressed satisfaction at the outcome and has agreed to have follow-up meetings and sign a memorandum of understanding. The delegation also called on the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the Head of the University’s Foreign Cell.

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi is an autonomous think-tank dealing with national security and conceptual aspects of land warfare, including conventional, sub-conventional conflict and terrorism. CLAWS has been providing internship opportunity to the students of the Department every summer. CLAWS and the Department collaborated in the academic year 2015-16 on a conference on ‘National Security’ held at Christ Central campus, Bangalore.