MANGALORE: Signs of turmoil and volatility abound in India’s neighbours like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives. Recent developments in these nations are a cause for global concern. Conventionally a debate over such issues takes place in New Delhi and other metros.
Thus it comes as a surprise when a private university is now introducing geopolitics as a full-time course.
From this year Manipal University is offering Post Graduate degrees in Geopolitics and International Relations (GIR). The impetus for this course comes from the need for those in corporate sector, government, the armed services and research groups to understand the rapidly changing international security environment and factor in ways of dealing with unhindered growth and security.
Having had educational experiences from Departments of Political Science and International Relations at Delhi University as well as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Head of the Department, Dr Arvind Kumar said that a “holistic understanding of international scene from Indian perspective is essential in these challenging times”.
Dr Kumar points out that this is perhaps India’s first course in geopolitics.
“Geopolitics is international relations with a geostrategic focus,” he explained. Dr Arvind enlisted the job opportunities after completion of the course, “Media houses need editors and correspondents in areas of defence and strategic affairs.” The flexibility and exposure that comes with this course may be one of its plus points. Students can decide to spend a couple of semesters in the USA. The Manipal University has tied up with American University at Washington D C and University of Miami to offer credit-exchange facilities. Summer internships at India’s leading research institutes in Delhi and elsewhere are also on the cards.
Dr Kumar knows it is a challenge to market this course in India, a country that has often been derided for lack of a strategic culture.