Indian Institute of Advanced Study
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| Established | 1965 |
|---|---|
| Type | Research Institution |
| Location | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh India |
| Website | http://www.iias.org/ |
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a prestigious research institute based in Shimla, India. It was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1964 and it started functioning from October 20, 1965.[1]
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[edit] History and establishment
The building that houses the Institute was originally built as a home for Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India from 1884 - 1888 and was called the Viceregal Lodge.[2] It housed all the subsequent viceroys and governor generals of India. It occupied the Observatory Hill, one of the seven hills that Shimla is built upon.
The building was designed by Henry Irwin, an architect in the Public Works Department at that time. The Viceregal Lodge had electricity as far back as 1888, much before the rest of the town of Shimla.[2]
Many historic decisions have been taken in the building during the Indian independence movement. The Simla Conference was held here in 1945. The decision to carve out Pakistan and East Pakistan from India was also taken here in 1947.[2]
After India gained independence, the building was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas and was used as a summer retreat for the President of India. However, due to its neglect, Dr. S Radhakrishnan decided to turn it into a centre of higher learning.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study was first created as a society on 6 October 1964. The institute was formally inaugurated by Prof. S. Radhakrishnan on 20 October 1965.
Around 2004, a rare Stické court was discovered on the grounds of the Viceregal Lodge complex.
[edit] Administration
The Institute is administered by a Society and a Governing Body, the members of which come from varied backgrounds. A statutory Finance Committee advises the Governing body in financial matters.
The Director of the Institute is assisted by a Secretary, a Deputy Secretary a Public Relations Officer and other supervisory staff.
[edit] Academics
The fellows of the Institute currently focus on the following areas:
- Humanities
- Arts and Aesthetics
- Comparative Study of Literature
- Study of Religion and Philosophy.
- Social Sciences
- Development Studies
- Comparative Study of Political Institutions
- Socio-economic and Socio-Cultural Formation in Historical Perspective.
- Natural and Life Sciences
- State Policies on Science and Technology
- Science, Technology and Development
- Methodologies and Techniques.
[edit] Alumni
Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was a fellow of the Institute from February 1987 to February 1989.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Official website. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
- ^ a b c HP Govt. website. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
- ^ Alumni list on official website. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
