Consul General Thomas Vajda launches a one-year certificate course in international security studies at Mumbai University’s Department of Civics and Political Science.
On December 1, in Mumbai, recognizing India’s expanding leadership role in regional and global security, the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai and Mumbai University today jointly launched a new one-year certificate course on international security studies. The program, the first one-year certificate course of its kind in India, is being offered at the Department of Civics and Politics at Mumbai University’s Kalina campus. The objective of the program is to provide India’s next generation of leaders with the training they need to guide India into a secure twenty-first century. The course was developed through a partnership between Mumbai University, the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, and Indiana University in the United States.
Speaking at the launch of the course, U.S. Consul General in Mumbai Tom Vajda stated that the U.S. sees India as a key strategic partner for the 21st century and fully supports a growing role for India in the region and the world. He outlined some of the challenges that India and the United States face in a rapidly transforming world, such as nuclear proliferation, violent extremism, cyber threats, climate change, and pandemic diseases. “These indeed are global challenges,” Vajda said, “And the Indian and Pacific Ocean region is increasingly important to addressing them and to ensuring peace and security around the world.” Speaking to the students, Vajda said, “I applaud your interest in security studies and encourage you to consider a career in foreign affairs to help shape a secure and bright future for India and beyond.”
Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Uttara Sahasrabuddhe, Professor in the Department of Civics and Politics and the coordinator for the course, said, “There are a handful of universities in India that offer master and research programs in defense and strategic studies. However, University of Mumbai has taken a lead in designing a one-year certificate in security studies that is open to all graduates. Amidst increasing challenges of traditional and non-traditional security-related studies, we are pleased to offer this course in collaboration with the U.S.-based Indiana University and the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai.” Head of the Department of Civics and Politics Dr. Sudha Mohan and Ambassador Neelam Deo, Director, Gateway House, Mumbai were also present at the launch of the course.
The course development was supported by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai through a grant which allowed Indiana University in Bloomington, Illinois to partner with Mumbai University in order to develop a curriculum for the course. Twelve students are enrolled in the first wave of the program, which began in November 2016 and covers concepts and approaches to security issues, traditional and non-traditional security, maritime security, and internal security issues in India. Interested prospective students can contact Dr. Uttara Sahasrabuddhe at the Mumbai University’s Department of Civics and Politics for course information.
