SCHOOL OF GANDHIAN THOUGHT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
The School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University has become one of the premier centres of multi-disciplinary research, teaching and learning in the country. The School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies was established in the year 1984. Henceforth, the School has become instrumental in spreading the message of Gandhi among both academics and the general public. The Courses as well as the UGC SAP DRS I & II undertaken by the School further aim to spread a greater awareness of Gandhian ideals among the youth and values for the empowerment of the individual and the society. Grounding firmly on its relatively short but rich legacy, the school is poised to traverse new heights and unknown horizons.
The school has been remarkably employer-friendly from the very beginning. Most of the graduates who have passed out from the school have found employment. The largest contingent of Gandhian studies graduates have been absorbed as teachers at the Higher Secondary level following its introduction as a subject of study at that level by the government of Kerala. The school has an excellent record of publications. As a matter of policy, we give equal importance to teaching, research, concurrent field work, and Block-Placement.
The University Grants Commission selected and identified our department as the best and awarded Special Assistance Programme Phase I & II from 01.04.2005 to 31.03.2009 and 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2014 respectively. Our Faculty Members have held positions as chairman and experts in UGC and also as members in NAAC; some Faculty Members have been appointed as experts in the UPSC Civil Service Examination panel.
The main academic areas in which the School imparts information to interpret the writings of Gandhi so as to make it relevant today are Fundamentals of Gandhian Thoughts, Education, Rural Development, Philosophy, Social work and Applied Gandhism.
What We Stand For
- To provide academic training: - The School intends to provide academic training in those branches of learning in which the message of Mahatma Gandhi is found to percolate.
- To make textual and contextual study of the writings of Mahatma Gandhi.
- To conduct formal and informal courses.
- To interpret the writings of Gandhi so as to make them relevant to the time and place.
- To conduct Twinning Programmes for the visiting scholars.
- To provide consultancy services for research and service projects.
- To promote research on applied Gandhism.
- To extend the findings of research to the public through extension programmes.
- To provide Development Projects of outside Agencies etc.
The school gives special focus to inter-disciplinary research and research oriented learning facilitation. It is matter of pride that 27 scholars at the school have been awarded Ph.D since 2004 in diverse areas of social science such as philosophy, geriatrics and rural economics. Applied social science research aimed at empowering the weaker sections of the society has been the hallmark of the engagements of the school.
Thrust Areas of Research
Peace and Conflict Studies
Decentralisation
Micro-level Planning
Development Education
Ecology
Comparative Religion
Indian Philosophy
Indian Social Thought
Social Movements
Development Alternatives
Cultural Studies
Social Work
Gender Issues
Rural Communication
