The National Institute of Advanced Studies recently evaluated its experience with a programme driven approach to its research and other activities. The Committee set up for the purpose felt that the programme approach had yielded positive results based on the topicality of the research, clear statement of objectives, time-bound nature of activities, and deliverables. It was however also felt that there was inadequate tapping of potential synergies between programmes. This was largely believed to be the result of a weak link between programmes and schools. It was therefore decided to reorganize the schools in a way that generated the required synergies and enabled the programmes to function more effectively.
In keeping with this approach the schools were reorganized. The four schools that now function in NIAS are: School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, and the School of Conflict and Security Studies. The schools consist of a group of programmes in a domain. The Schools are expected to be ‘Programme driven’ and have a research agenda aiding the programmes in them, as well as promoting trans-disciplinary research within and outside the school. The new organization of schools is expected to build synergy within and across disciplines and promote such interaction more vigorously. The schools are also expected to carry out activities related to the NIAS Courses and outreach activities. PhD scholars are expected to be affiliated to a programme within a school test.
