UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Regional Cooperation (UMISARC)

Since the 26 October 2010, Mme Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General announced that the 12 SAF Institutions of Excellence will be able to use UNESCO logo and named UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence.

03^rd June 2009 :- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pondicherry University and the South Asia Foundation ("SAF"), for the establishment of Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation (MISARC) at Pondicherry University

The MoU between SAF-India and Pondicherry University provides for students from each SAF chapter to avail a scholarship under the SAF-Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship Scheme, to study a two year M A Programme in South Asian Studies at the Pondicherry University.

Dr. D.Purushothaman, Director, UMISARC (UMISARC@safmail.org)  
2019-2021 Batch

South Asia Fundation  Announces fully paid Scholarship to M.A. Program at UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Regional Cooperation (UMISARC) at Pondicherry University.  2 students from each of the SARRC countries will be awarded scholarships on gender equality
SAF–Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship is a unique feature of South Asian Studies programme at Pondicherry University. Sixteen scholarships are awarded to Master's students from South Asian countries (eight boys and eight girls). The scholarship award covers the entire tuition fees, travel (round trip economy airfare only for international students) boarding and lodging at Pondicherry University for two years.

All 16 selected scholars are entitled for a monthly stipend of Rs. 10000/- during their course period. The scholarship will not cover expenses on dependent, if any, of a scholarship holder. They will have to fully support their dependents. The South Asia Foundation Chapter from each SAARC county (i.e) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, (except India ), Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will nominate candidates and inform its selection to the university for interview. While nominating candidates, the SAF chapters may give preference to candidates having graduate degree in Political Science, International Relations, Economic, Defence Studies, History and Sociology, etc. The SAF Scholarship holders will be subject to same rules and regulations regarding attendance and discipline, etc, as applicable to other students of the University.  Interested candidates from SAARC countries ( Exlcuding INDIA ) will have to apply through SAF Chapter in their respective countries before  30^th April, 2019.

For Indian Candidates - On the bases of merits in written examination, conducted by Pondicherry Unviersity, two top scoring students based on gender equality will be awarded for  SAF Scholarship.  

Important dates:

Facilities Available at the Institute

Though newly established, the Institute has excellent infra-structure facilities including computers with internet connection, over head projector and LCD projectors, fax and Xerox machine, etc., to support teachers and students in their pursuit of academic excellence and relevance. The grand UMISARC building has a state of art auditorium and seminar hall well-equipped with latest audiovisual facilities, reading room, class and faculty rooms, computer labs, as well as space for research scholars and visiting faculty. 

The Institute is imparting education through new and innovative methods and techniques. Frequent guest lectures by eminent scholars, diplomats, defence officers and members of think tanks from different parts of India and abroad are arranged to enable students to have a wider perspective on their area of study.
The Institute is organising conferences, seminars and panel discussions on issues of contemporary relevance at frequent intervals. The Institute is developing its own specialized library to supplement resources available at central and school libraries.