Reflecting on his journey at JGU, and receiving one of the highest salary packages during campus placement, Shubham shares his story – “Back in September in 2020, I joined JGU, the decision to do so was backed by a personal quest to equip myself with the skillsets necessary to understand the world of international relations along with a hope to interact with fellow students as well as faculties who represented multitudes of personality, vigour, interests, backgrounds, and academic journeys.

As remarkable as it was, battling the pandemic, and a constant quest between electives and semesters, we – the students, faculties, and adjoining staffs made sure, the process of educating ourselves must continue amidst many difficulties, albeit through virtual mediums.

JSIA allowed me to navigate through different set of electives giving me an ample space to discover the various facets of International Affairs as the course itself suggests the tri-components of Diplomacy, Law & Business. I exercised full discretion while choosing the list of electives carefully between different set of clusters and managed to grasp the essentials of Economics and Foreign Policy, Defence and National Security Studies and Human Rights & International Development. Additionally, the course being research oriented, and research driven pushed me into analysis, reading and writing for which I benefit in today and would do in my future endeavours.

Professor Haseeb has supported us with his insights on diplomacy, CSR, and International Law, Professor Mohan helped us understand the complex pieces of Indian Foreign Policy. At one hand, while I learnt the intricacies of Intelligence Research by Prof. Dr Shishir Upadhyay, I tried to combine his lectures on Maritime strategy with the deliberations upon National Security and Military Strategy by Prof. Maj. Gen. A K Singh. I also took courses offered by Prof. Priyanka Chandra to understand the complexities of the West Asia which in combination with a course on International Migration by Prof. Sugandha Nagpal, and International Development by Prof. Dr Kena Wani allowed me to develop a holistic canvas of humanitarian crisis fuelled by unstable economy and destabilizing politics.
All in all, if not without the hand in hand guidance of Prof. Shivani, who through her watchful eyes made me stick to the grit of quality research, to whom I stand utmost grateful.

Nevertheless, I also interacted and participated in co-curricular activities, all through virtual mediums, which meant a consistent effort by students to re-invent the ideas of collaboration, cooperation, and learnings.

JSIA’s facilitation of internship opportunities in record number of institutions and organizations helped me filter out some meaningful engagements with multiple projects. I joined International Solar Alliance as an International Relations and Protocol Intern. Further I had a very memorable experience with LPAI, MHA where I first-hand conducted and collated research on Indo- Nepal international border trade, with the support of multiple departments and officials of Govt. Of India and of Nepal. The reason I could swim across multiple challenges posed by these commitments was the nature of education provided by JSIA.

It was indeed a dedicated effort of the Team OCS (Office of Career Services), Hemlata ma’am and Vaishali ma’am who were always there to push us for realizing our true interest areas, that I managed to bag these opportunities in the first place.

At last, for all the right and obvious reasons, I must thank and salute the friends and affiliations, the bonds which kept me grounded, affectionate, curious, and steady, that through tough times, we all emerged victorious, in our own ways and shapes, and embark on a new journey in life, the difference that we aspire to make in the world, through work and smiles, I will always cherish the two years of MADLB, JSIA, and tell the stories, that, YESS, we did it, we did miss the warmth and presence of the campus, but indeed – we did it!”

Dr. Sreeram Chaulia is a social scientist and an opinion maker on international issues. He holds a Doctorate (Ph.D.) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science and International Relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, USA and a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in History of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. He was a Radhakrishnan British Chevening Scholar at the University of Oxford, UK, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Modern History. He also has a Bachelor of Arts Honours (B.A. Hons.) from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, India.

Founded in 2011 with the objective of imparting insights on the latest issues and trends in Global Affairs and International Affairs, Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) is India’s first global policy school. The school is amongst the 12 schools of 91̽�� (JGU) provides a wide range of interdisciplinary degree programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

JSIA has carved for itself a position of pride of place among world-class entities engaged in the analysis of such themes. Its journey is facilitated by its diverse Faculty – comprising academics, scholars & researchers, social scientists, authors, practitioner lawyers and diplomats and other eminent experts – drawn from both India and abroad.

Its unique pedagogy of mixing academic research with a spirited discussion on ongoing issues – political, security, defence & strategic, diplomatic, global economic and multilateral problems – confronting the comity of nations, empowers its vibrant student community with in-depth expertise and skills for engaging on such aspects in their subsequent, professional careers. It is a matter of satisfaction that for many years running now, JSIA students are regularly finding placement in reputed think tanks, MNCs, Media and PR groups, UN and multilateral bodies, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and other such organizations.

Academic Programmes at JSIA

JSIA aims to train students for international careers and offers a 3-year degree in B.A. (Hons.) Global Affairs, B.A. (Hons.) Political Science and B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. At the postgraduate level, JSIA offers M.A. in Diplomacy, Law and Business which is intended to be neither a totally academic nor a fully vocational one. It stresses theoretical research but insists on relating it to empirically rich phenomena from the social world.

Jindal School of International Affairs offers both Full time and Part time Ph.D. programmes. The school places strong emphasis on geo-politics and global studies that are largely affecting international relations in the age of globalization. JSIA has also collaborated with the globally acclaimed online education platform Coursera to provide the Master of Arts in International Relations, Security, and Strategy programme.

Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) offers a three-year degree programme – Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy intended to train undergraduates with a detailed, thorough and practical understanding of how foreign policy is conceived, formulated and implemented, as well as how the individual or allied foreign policies of countries strive to work in harmony based on shared interests.

Here are some of the tracks that one may consider apart from the diplomatic corps:

• Opportunities abound in the commercial world given that global policymaking carries influence in areas such as business strategy, investment decisions, capital allocation, market entry, etc. Global businesses have entire teams and departments devoted to understanding global policymaking and its implications for business prospects. A graduate with a firm knowledge of diplomatic and foreign policy nuances can help interpret policy direction more clearly and articulate these in terms of business implications.
• Private research organizations, think tanks, lobbying groups, and consulting firms that focus exclusively on analysing and influencing policy making are much in demand by businesses and governments. Teams in these organizations consist of experts in the areas of diplomacy, foreign policy, policy analysis, etc. and they advise clients on strategies and implications, besides offering their services for influencing policy direction.
• There is a significant demand for professional writers or journalists in the area of diplomacy and foreign policy who understand the nuances of these areas and can interpret the implications of developments on policy. Beyond this, widely followed writers in these areas are even considered thought leaders and influencers in policymaking.
• Finally, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations and international institutions such as the United Nations offer a wide variety of opportunities for students with a background in diplomacy or foreign policy work.

An up-to-date and world-class education in diplomacy and foreign policy can help establish and enhance capacities of analysing and solving world problems amongst students. Fortunately, in India students now have opportunities for highly specialized education in these areas right from the undergraduate level itself. A high-quality programme trains undergraduates with a detailed, thorough, and practical understanding of how foreign policy is conceived, formulated and implemented, as well as how the individual or allied foreign policies of countries strive to work in harmony based on shared interests. At a practical level, the program would aim to equip students with an overview of the various instruments a state may use to pursue its foreign policy in a complex and challenging world order, considering the constraints and limits it faces in the international domain.

Some key essential aspects that would determine quality of learning outcomes in such a programme are:

Interdisciplinarity: The very nature of the domain requires students to build multidisciplinary skillsets that help integrate implications of a policy move for a full understanding as well as develop nuance in using diplomacy.

Experiential learning: Diplomacy and policymaking are hands-on fields that require practical exposure and application based learning. Regular field trips, internships, seminar attendances, and research opportunities help build analytical thinking and critical reasoning in students.

Global exposure: Understanding how to influence global policy making requires exposure to cultures and practices in other countries in order to develop a better understanding of issues and proposed solutions. Here, foreign collaborations can be a key differentiator.

Foreign language training: The English-speaking world may be large but there are several other globally-relevant languages such as French, Spanish, and Arabic and learning them can be a key differentiator in working in foreign countries or with foreign teams. Besides this, there are large and important countries such as Germany, China, Japan, etc. where knowledge of the local language is vital for anyone working in policymaking.

In-depth thematic and geographic understanding of hitherto neglected world issue areas built through structured study of diplomacy and foreign policy can go a long way in developing a cadre of capable professionals that India badly needs across a variety of domains.

In this blog, we will explore the scope, importance, and relevance of political science in today’s world, with a specific focus on India. 

What is Political Science? 

Political science is a social science discipline that focuses on the study of politics, government, and public policy. It encompasses a wide range of subfields, including comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, and political economy. Political scientists use various methods, such as quantitative analysis, case studies, and theoretical models, to understand and explain political phenomena. 

Scope of Political Science 

The scope of political science is vast and diverse. It includes the study of political systems, political ideologies, political institutions, and political behavior. Political scientists examine the role of government in society, the interactions between different branches of government, and the relationships between governments and civil society actors. They also study the impact of globalization, regionalization, and international organizations on national and local politics. In India, specifically, political science is an especially relevant field of study. 

As a rapidly developing country with a diverse population and a complex political system, India presents a rich terrain for political scientists to explore. From the study of political parties and elections to the analysis of public policy and governance, there is much to be learned about the Indian political landscape.

Reasons for Studying Political Science- Why is it Important to Study Political Science?

 So, why should I study political science? Here are some compelling reasons: 

1. Understand the World Around Us: Political science helps us understand the world around us. By studying political systems, institutions, and policies, we gain insight into how power operates and how decisions are made that affect our daily lives. 
2. Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Political science fosters critical thinking skills. It encourages us to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and think logically about complex issues. These skills are valuable in a variety of careers, from law and journalism to business and public service. 
3. Informed Citizenship: Political science educates us about our roles and responsibilities as citizens. By studying political systems and processes, we become better equipped to participate in civic life, engage in public discourse, and hold our leaders accountable. 
4. Prepare for Careers in Politics and Governance: For those interested in careers in politics, government, or public service, political science provides a strong foundation. It offers insights into the workings of political systems, introduces key concepts and theories, and hones skills in analysis, communication, and problem-solving. 
5. Enhance Empathy and Cultural Understanding: Political science helps us appreciate different perspectives and cultures. By studying political systems and ideologies across countries and regions, we broaden our horizons and cultivate empathy for diverse viewpoints. 

Importance and Impact of Political Science in India

In India, political science has never been more relevant than it is today. As the country navigates the complexities of economic development, social justice, and political reform, the study of political science offers valuable insights and expertise. Here are some ways in which political science contributes to India’s growth and development:

1. Promoting Good Governance: Political science informs our understanding of good governance practices. By analyzing the effectiveness of different political institutions and policies, we can identify areas for improvement and work towards building a more efficient, transparent, and accountable government. 
2. Advancing Social Justice: Political science highlights the importance of social justice and human rights. By studying the intersection of politics and social inequality, we can identify strategies to promote greater fairness and equal opportunity in Indian society. 
3. Strengthening Democracy: Political science is vital for the sustenance and strengthening of democracy in India. By monitoring the health of democratic institutions, evaluating electoral processes, and encouraging citizen participation, we can ensure that India remains a thriving democracy. 
4. Shaping Foreign Policy: Political science plays a critical role in shaping India’s foreign policy. By analyzing international relations, geopolitical trends, and diplomatic strategies, we can advance India’s interests and position it as a leader on the global stage.

FAQs 

Q: Why should we study political science?

A: When talking about why we study political science it can be infered, studying political science helps us understand the world around us, develop critical thinking skills, prepare for careers in politics and governance, enhance empathy and cultural understanding, and contribute to the advancement of social justice and human rights.

Q: What is the scope of political science?

A: The scope of political science is vast and diverse, covering topics such as political systems, institutions, and policies, comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, and political economy.

Q: What are the career options available for political science graduates?

A: Political science graduates can pursue careers in government, civil society organizations, media, academia, and the private sector. They can work as policymakers, political analysts, consultants, journalists, teachers, and researchers.

Q: Can you name some prominent political scientists?

A: Some prominent political scientists include Aristotle, Machiavelli, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Samuel Huntington.

Q: How does the study of political science contribute to the advancement of social justice and human rights?

A: The study of political science helps us understand the factors that contribute to social injustice and human rights violations. It enables us to analyze policies and institutions that perpetuate inequality and oppression, and develop strategies to promote greater fairness and equal opportunity.

Why choose 91̽�� (JGU) for BA in Political Science? 

Let us now discuss the B.A. Political Science program at OP Jindal University’s Jindal School of International Affairs. This program offers a comprehensive education in political science, focusing on the study of political systems, institutions, and policies. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, and political economy.

The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in careers related to politics and governance. The faculty members are experts in their fields and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the classroom. The program also offers opportunities for internships, research, and extracurricular activities that help students develop their skills and network with professionals in the field.

Overall, the B.A. Political Science program at OP Jindal University’s Jindal School of International Affairs is an excellent choice for students interested in pursuing a career in politics and governance. Its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and opportunities for hands-on learning make it an ideal platform for launching a successful career in this exciting and dynamic field.

Responding to contemporary demands and keeping up with the trends and developments unique to contemporary realities, the programmes are multidisciplinary, internationally aligned, and innovative in cutting-edge curriculum and course structure to empower the students. Identifying the need of the hour and current issues that ought to be addressed in the society is pivotal to JGU’s motto as A Private University Promoting Public Service. Be it the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the grave issues stemming from issues relating to human rights, behavioural studies, climate change, or new age career opportunities that interest the modern-day youth, JGU provides a platform for interested candidates to nurture their abilities by providing them with the requisite means for holistic development.    

The Founding Vice Chancellor of 91̽��, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumarsaid, “JGU is deeply committed towards implementing the National Education Policy 2020. It is our collective and committed efforts in institution building over the last 12 years, which have taken us to this new milestone. The launch of two new schools and 17 new UG and PG programmes marks the beginning of a new journey in institution and nation building. As the world has been changed forever due to the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, education, learning and knowledge creation has also undergone a sea change. Our students and future leaders need to be prepared for the unexpected and the unanticipated challenges. Towards this end, it our aim to create study programmes, which will respond to the future through creative, international and multi-disciplinary curriculum, cutting edge course outline and a truly global learning experience to help fulfill the goals and aspirations of our students.”  

The 17 New Programmes Launched by JGU for 2022 Student Intake: 

1. B.A. (Hons.) HUMAN RIGHTS
2. B.A. (Hons.) GENDER STUDIES
3. B.A. (Hons.) CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE 
4. B.A. (Hons.) DIPLOMACY & FOREIGN POLICY
5. B.A. (Hons.) PUBLIC POLICY
6. B.A. (Hons.) SOCIOLOGY
7. B.A. (Hons.) FILM & NEW MEDIA
8. B.Com. (Hons.) CAPITAL MARKETS
9. Global B.Com. (Hons.) 
10. B.A./B.Sc. (Hons.) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
11. B.A. (Hons.) ENGLISH
12. B.A. (Hons.) SPANISH
13. BPH (Hons.) Bachelor of PUBLIC HEALTH
14. M.A./M.Sc. APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
15. M.Sc. BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE  
16. Integrated M.Sc. & Ph.D. in BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE  
17. One Year Global MBA BUSINESS ANALYTICS 

Professor (Dr.) Upasana Mahanta, Dean, Office of Admissions and Outreach said, “Our programmes offer a unique framework for addressing contemporary realities and challenges with cutting-edge teaching, research, and interdisciplinary and experiential learning led by outstanding faculty members who are inspiring teachers and prolific scholars. Our new courses will enable our students to be prepared for the vagaries of nature where multi-disciplinary learning can enable thought leaders to respond to the new and emerging challenges.”  

Professor Anand Prakash Mishra, Director of Law Admissions & Associate Dean, Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) said, “Whoever aspires to study law and related disciplines in India today must consider studying at JGLS, simply because it’s the most premiere legal education ecosystem in South Asia with over 475 full-time faculty members and 30 research centers. JGLS is also Number one in India and only internationally ranked Indian law school as 76th best law school of the world as per the QS World University Rankings by Subject Law 2021. The four new UG BA (Hons.) programmes that JGLS offers in Legal Studies, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Criminology & Criminal Justice will enable JGLS to fulfil the goals and aspirations of many students who are interested to pursue undergraduate education on various dimensions of law and justice.”  

Mr. Vikram Singh Tomar, Director of Admissions, Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) emphasized that, “The dynamics of the changing marketplace has created new demands for management professionals with business analytic skills that require a thorough change in the curriculum. Sustainability and expansion are now going hand in hand. The industry therefore requires the logical decision-making capacities, which JGBS intends to foster through its newly designed One-Year MBA in Business Analytics programme for working professionals, which will equip and enhance the much-needed analytical skills thereby meeting the present day aspirations of corporates – Indian and global”.  

They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The same applies to 1,564 students of 91̽�� who overcame all challenges to graduate in a pandemic-hit year. Their enthusiastic participation at the 10^th JGU Convocation Ceremony, held online on August 7, is a testimony to their indomitable spirit to make the best of the prevailing situation.

This event which also marked the 12^th Founder’s Day of the university was made inspirational for the students by the presence of Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Niti Aayog, who delivered the Convocation Address, as well as the Founding Chancellor and Benefactor, 91̽��, Mr. Naveen Jindal.

Among the 1,564 JGU students who were conferred with degrees that day were 118 students of Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) which prepares students to build successful careers in international affairs across a wide range of areas including peace and conflict resolution, international justice, international economic development, humanitarian relief, human rights advocacy, academia, and political and economic risk analysis, etc. 

A number of JSIA students won accolades for their extraordinary academic and all-round achievements in the presence of the JGU Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar.

Here’s a list of awardees from JSIA who have shone with their performances:

BA Honours Global Affairs (B.A. GA) – Batch of 2018-21 Awardees

• Zeus Hans Mendez – Gold Medal
• Tamanna Dahiya – Silver Medal
• Paritosh Sudhir Tengshe – Bronze Medal
• Anjali Midha, BAGA – Outstanding Leadership Award for All-round Performance

MA Diplomacy, Law and Business (M.A. DLB) – Batch of 2019-21 Awardees

• Medha Gupta – Gold Medal
• Grace Cheema, Devulapalli Nagireddy Thanvi Reddy, and Aishwarya Arora – Silver Medal
• Pande Janhavi Rajiv – Bronze Medal
• Sheetal Sinha – Outstanding Leadership Award for All-round Performance

Congratulating the graduating students and inspiring them to evolve into responsible leaders, the Niti Aayog CEO, who was the chief guest at the event, said, “As you step out into the world with your degrees, it will be a very different world than the one we were accustomed to. Today we need very determined and passionate young people who are capable of taking many challenges that have been brought about by the disruption of the pandemic.”

“A crisis is an opportunity and you need to take challenges head-on and bring about a transformation instead of getting demotivated. This is the age of disruption,” he said.

Congratulating the graduating students, JGU Chancellor Mr. Naveen Jindal said, “The last year has been challenging for our students due to the pandemic as we had to move to online classes and each one of you have demonstrated resilience and commitment to pursue your academic goals. It is a very proud moment for all of us as over 1,500 students are graduating from JGU today. I wish you all the success.”

Recognizing the hard work, determination and perseverance of the students especially during the challenging times of the ongoing pandemic, JGU VC Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, “Last year, we were faced with one of the most unfortunate and unprecedented crises of our time. It required an overnight digital transformation to ensure institutional resilience and academic continuity. Putting all our forces towards this mission, JGU embraced technology and achieved completion of over 20,000 online classes in 2020.”

“Today, the most significant outcome of our efforts is that our graduating students have displayed their commitment to their academic pursuits even in these challenging times. The achievement across this year particularly outlines the adaptability and the extraordinary ability of our students to overcome trials and tribulations, and underscores the strength of their character and courage of conviction,” he said. If you missed the Live convocation ceremony, click .

JGU has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Australia-based Institute for Australia India Engagement (IAIE) and Cyber EQ to create opportunities for students to undertake internships in Australia. With IAIE, students will participate in the Student Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) program over a period of 1-2 months. For those students interning with Cyber EQ, students will conduct important research on regulatory and technological issues around cyber security. 

The internships will mentor students for future research, academic and professional roles and impart training to build research skills in academic writing including data collection and management, preparing hypothesis, abstracts and conclusion and presentation skills among other skill. The internship programme will also impart key leadership skills to the students.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of 91̽�� said, “At a time where travel is limited, the virtual engagements with Institute of Australia India Engagement and Cyber EQ will allow students from different disciplines at JGU to undertake unique internship opportunities in Australia. These international internships are another example of JGU’s focus on ensuring that students have opportunities to meaningfully engage with institutions from around the world during their studies. In the future, our students will be able to pursue these internships by travelling to Australia and experiencing it in a more engaged manner.”

CyberEQ Founder, Mr. John Mackenzie has been impressed with the entrepreneurial and forward-thinking innovation of JGU in supporting emerging start-ups. The partnership between JGU and CyberEQ enters its third intake with more than 64 virtual interns, now expanding the research focus to existing and emerging inconsistencies between the traditional and technological challenges facing Cybersecurity. “The virtual internship program is student-centric research that provides a unique learning environment. An objective is to ensure each student receives quality coaching and mentoring so that each intern has the greatest experience and opportunity to learn.  JGU students have a unique opportunity to explore a deeper understanding through higher education by bridging the gap from a legal, business, and psychological perspective to technology. A particular focus of the internship program is how students relate to the emerging challenges through real-world experience working on real-world projects, while also preparing for the future of work, and the new jobs of tomorrow. Key areas have included privacy, data protection law, AI, and behavioural science, particularly as we face the growing difficulties in cyberspace.”

CyberEQ focuses on workforce behavioural risk, supply chain counter-party risk, and international cyber regulations, legislation and standards.

“I am extremely delighted to observe and be a part of 91̽��’s partnership with numerous organizations and multiple platforms in Australia. This partnership is an outcome of global perspective and JGU’s collaborative. JGU’s association with Australia has evolved over a period of time. Even during the pandemic, the virtual internships by Cyber EQ and the Institute of Australia India Engagement have been a catalyst. I am certain of an enriched and prolific growth of this partnership in times to come,” said Professor (Dr.) Pankaj Gupta, Dean of the Office of Career Services. 

Dr. Ashutosh Misra, CEO and Executive Director of IAIE said: “IAIE is committed to strengthening Australia-India ties by nurturing future thinking leaders, professionals and academic experts in collaboration with JGU. The Student Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) program is an important part of this vision, encouraging meaningful contributions from the next generation of leaders in the bilateral relationship”.

Dr. Misra noted that research interns will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact evidence-based research publications, participate in training workshops, and prepare content for the “Youth Pulse” section of India News, a fortnightly publication in Australia. 

IAIE is a not-for-profit policy institution which aims to strengthen Australia-India Strategic Partnership through evidence-based research, exchange of new knowledge, targeted policy dialogues and innovative business solutions for the government, corporate and community stakeholders.

Professor Shaun Star, Director of the Centre for India Australia Studies at JGU, said that “Students at JGU, and more generally in India, are increasingly looking to Australia for future studies or employment opportunities. Through international internship programmes, such as the virtual internships with IAIE and CyberEQ, and degree pathways at leading Australian universities, we are providing our students with greater opportunities to experience what it is like to work and study in Australia.”

As an organisation, CyberEQ provides a business intelligence solution for workforce and supply chain risk mitigation. CyberEQ has developed a self-learning AI autoimmune system that detects workforce threats, vulnerabilities, risks and anomalies faster, and before they occur. This allows for the deployment of early interventions to kill cancerous cells by stopping them from growing and multiplying. While research and development forms the basis of CyberEQ’s product development and team passion, the team at CyberEQ coach, mentor and lecture undergraduate and post graduate students, and actively challenge them to explore deeper understanding of the root cause of cyber, and how the global finite resources can be applied to have a meaningful improvement (impact) in countering the escalating issue.

IAIE achieves its mission by organising (i) policy-driven multi-disciplinary project collaborations with Australian, Indian and international partners on foreign policy, defence and security, business and trade, energy, education, sports and culture; (i) multi-track policy dialogues involving policy makers, strategic analysts, academics, sportspersons and business leaders; (iii) targeted capacity development and business solutions for stakeholders in both countries;  (iv) special orations, public lectures and seminars on bilateral and strategic issues; and (v) community dialogues, media engagements and public events to strengthen multiculturalism in Australia and India.

This year, organisations like the Jane’s Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, The Economist, Uber, Wipro, Pinkerton, Max Securities, Mitkat Advisory, Confederation of Indian Industries, Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) have selected JSIA’s graduating Masters students to work with them. The students have been designated to work as Analysts, Consultants, Research Assistants and Geopolitical Risk Analysts in these organisations.

More than 67 organisations have considered Bachelors and Masters students of JSIA this year for placements and internships. Some of the leading names are Ministry of External Affairs, Action Aid, Indian Institute of Chinese Studies, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), National Maritime Foundation, Foreign Policy Research Centre, Environment Support Group,  Socialist Today, India News Stream, Kailash Satyarthi Foundation, Republic TV, The Print, NDTV, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Embassy of Lebanon, Embassy of Iran, Swaniti Initiative, Strategic foresight, China India Foundation, Pollution Action Group, Observer Research Foundation, CRY, CARE India, OXFAM, Development Alternatives, Gateway House, Center for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), Republic TV and News 18.

Mitkat Advisory, IDSA, IPAC, Chase India, MEA have been a few organisations associated with JSIA students for their Capstone research Projects which combine academic learning with practical work experience.

In this context, the Dean of JSIA, Professor Sreeram Chaulia, remarked: “The study of International Relations and Global Affairs is slowly picking up in India because of the pioneering efforts JSIA has made since 2011 in assisting students with careers in unconventional paths. The fact that so many of our graduates are shining in a variety of sectors bears testament to the high quality of education we are imparting, as well as the skills and career guidance we are providing. This is an example of how a niche area of study can be popularised in a developing country like India where the mainstream bias has been towards science, technology and professional degrees rather than social sciences.”

JSIA has achieved  97% placement  and 100%  internships to more than 70 organisations this pandemic year.  

Within 11 years of establishment, JGU has been ranked in the top 651-700 universities in the world and has become India’s number 1 ranked Private University. JGU is also India’s top-ranking university with a focus solely on Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities as per the influential QS World University Rankings 2021. Last year, JGU was conferred the status of an “Institution of Eminence” by the Government of India. In these rankings, JGU vastly improved its position to become the only Institution of Eminence (IoE) in India to show a significant climb out of the 18 IoE’s that have been selected.

The Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics on Coursera is being developed by the Jindal Global Business School. This specialized MBA program teaches business professionals how to apply data analytics and data science to identify and solve business problems — preparing them for strategic, managerial, and analyst roles.

The Master of Arts in Public Policy is offered by the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, and is the first Master’s in Public Policy offered on Coursera. The M.A. in Public Policy prepares students for leading policy and civil service positions by teaching them to analyse policy, explore real-world policymaking first-hand, and enhance managerial skills.

The Master of Arts in International Relations, Security and Strategy is offered by the Jindal School of International Affairs, and is also a first of its kind offered on Coursera. The M.A. in International Relations, Security and Strategy program teaches diplomacy, conflict resolution, ethics, and intelligence analysis to help students develop a holistic approach to international affairs.

The Founding Vice-Chancellor of 91̽�� (Professor) Dr. C. Raj Kumar, said, “With the exciting announcement of three online masters’ degree programmes by 91̽��, we aim to provide knowledge in the fields of business, public policy and international relations and deliver a transformational, personalised online learning experience through our partnership with Coursera. This is in line with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 and in fulfillment of the policy impetus of the Government of India to provide greater access to education using technology and innovation. We will also be promoting access to education to a wide range of learners through the Coursera platform that will also help us to fulfill the mission of being an ‘Institution of Eminence’ contributing towards democratisation of knowledge and education. In this regard, we established the Office of Academic Innovation and the Centre for Online Education. JGU will now offer both on-campus programmes for students pursuing education within a campus ecosystem through physical and in-person learning experiences, as well as online degree programmes on Coursera for working professionals and other students from India and around the world who will be receiving education through virtual learning experiences.”

“We are excited to partner with JGU to launch the first degrees from an Indian university on Coursera, providing greater access to higher education,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “ can be the foundation for fulfilling careers, and through these new programs, students can earn a life-transforming credential online in a high-demand field.”

Professor Jeremy J. Wade, Director, Office of Academic Innovation, JGU, said, “Online education must move beyond solely replicating the in-person classroom for an online format. Through this partnership with Coursera, we aim to deliver highly engaging, online-first content that provides a transformative learning experience to a wide range of students in India and around the world.”

With this partnership, JGU joins the ranks of 150 leading universities including Yale University, University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and Imperial College of London that offer online content and credentials on Coursera. On Coursera, there are over 77 million learners across 190 countries who will now be able to apply to JGU’s degree programmes.

Coursera currently has a online bachelor’s and master’s programs in business, computer science, data science, public health, and more. In addition to the JGU programs, Monday’s announcement included the announcement of a BSc in Marketing from the University of London and a Master of Business Administration from Fundação Instituto de Administração in Brazil.

Students can now apply for the , , and for the September 2021 cohort.

The idea of holistic learning is at its core interred with interdisciplinarity. But as subjects evolved, delving deeper into the development of their unique fields, somewhere along the way, methods of teaching and learning became a little more rigid, less fluid. Perhaps in the quest for super specialisations, or even to an extent, to make students more employable in their chosen paths.

But what constitutes employability today? Can disciplinary knowledge alone cover the breadth of possibilities that this modern world beholds? And perhaps, most importantly – are students able to make the most of their education? The answers to these questions, just as the nature of learning and knowledge, are constantly evolving. The lines between disciplines blur in a world that’s grown more interconnected than ever before.

Yet for far too long, the Indian education system has kept disciplines distanced from each other. Beginning from early childhood to higher education, learning traditionally takes place in silos. High school and undergraduate students are typically required to choose between streams and subjects. As teenagers, they carry the weight of decisions that could direct, change and even narrow their futures.

It’s a tall task to ask of young people in their formative years. Years that could be better spent exploring their options, discovering interests, learning as much as possible, absorbing a more holistic worldview that will enable them to grow into well-rounded, open-minded, sensitive and intelligent young adults.

All that is about to change. At least, that is what the revolutionary National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 claims. As we stand on the verge of a breakthrough reform, the NEP promises a bold change. One that espouses interdisciplinarity in its very core. The breaking down of disciplinary boundaries is a big leap from traditional learning frameworks. Systematically restructuring the way learning has taken place for decades, even centuries, the NEP demands educators, policy makers, and students to step up and brace themselves for change, even if it will come slowly.

Coming from a time when academic disciplines don’t speak to each other, creating interdisciplinary curriculum, effective pedagogy, skilling teachers, among others, will be milestones to look forward to as India revamps itself to tap into the potential of interdisciplinarity.

It will challenge young people to embark on academic pursuits with more freedom, imagination and abandon than ever before. Looking at life through a multidisciplinary lens will result in the ability to approach problems from a broader perspective. And that’s just what’s needed today.

If you think about the most burning issues of the contemporary world – climate change, sustainability, inequality, poverty, justice, human rights, international relations, conflict, war and peace – their solutions cannot be located simply within a singular field. The “real world” which we, as educators, prepare our students to enter, is complex. And it’s in the interplay between disciplines that we can find holistic answers. We must therefore equip students to live successfully amidst the dynamic realities of the world, by inspiring creativity, innovation and broader thinking. Armed with interdisciplinary learning, students can find their place in this ever-evolving world.

Contrary to traditional curricula that are designed to transform students into a cohort of specialised professionals with advanced knowledge in a particular domain, multidisciplinarity takes a different route to “employability”. Students gain an arsenal of skills that are easily transferable across different fields– problem-solving, critical thinking, team work, time management, strong communication, analysis and research methodologies, and much more – which equip them with the flexibility to choose their own path. In the rapidly changing and highly demanding modern context, traditional degrees tend to leave graduates wanting, whereas multidisciplinary talent has the power to overcome the challenges and conquer the possibilities of the future.

The push to consider the real world learning outcomes of interdisciplinarity has gained momentum globally over the past decades. It is firmly established at the world’s best universities like Harvard, Oxford, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, and so on. Yet in India, only a niche set of schools and universities have adopted this approach. At 91̽��, we have consciously held interdisciplinarity at the core of learning.

This means that students enrolled in each of the ten schools – law, business, international relations, liberal arts, architecture, journalism, public policy, banking, environment or psychology – take up foundational interdisciplinary courses within their schools, and also study cross-listed electives across the board. They also participate in interdisciplinary research alongside their peers and mentors. Faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines also come together to prepare interdisciplinary courses, which further enriches the value of interdisciplinarity throughout the institutional culture.

Multidisciplinarity is important for a number of reasons. It not only exposes students to new and diverse disciplines, thoughts or perspectives, but helps them discover what interests them, and how to contextualise their specialised areas of study with other disciplines.

As students prepare to enter a world that is increasingly multifaceted itself, interdisciplinarity can no longer be overlooked in the classroom. So its inclusion as a central goal of the NEP is not only welcome in the academic world, but overdue. It remains to be seen if the policy can revolutionise the education system. In the end, disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity must go hand-in-hand. So that students may not only gain knowledge during their academic life but nurture a holistic outlook that sets the tone for lifelong learning.