Day: 23rd February, 2023 | Wednesday
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm IST | Click here for time in your location
Venue: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Introduction
The genesis of TERI SAS is rooted in the comprehensive research, consultancy, and outreach activities of TERI. The relationship with TERI has propelled and influenced the evolution of the University's academic units. This relationship is enshrined in a memorandum of understanding between the University and TERI, wherein the two have agreed on collaborative research and programmes, joint studies, and mutual support for seminars, symposia, and conferences.
This vision was further strengthened in 1999, when the University was granted "Deemed to be University" status by the University Grants Commission and notified by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Education, Government of India. Earlier Known as ‘TERI University’, the institution changed its name to ‘TERI School of Advanced Studies’ with effect from 29 November 2017.
With a mission to create knowledge and capacity in various areas of sustainable development, the TERI SAS exposes its students to a variety of subjects, tools and methodologies in an interdisciplinary mode. Very typically, they converge upon an area of focus based upon their interest, having been exposed to a new way of thinking that looks at problems not from the lens of a subject specialist, but from the perspective of one who recognizes the complex linkages between man and his environment.
Accredited with an ‘A’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India (NAAC), the University has received accolades for incorporating new and innovative elements in education. All technical programmes of the University are approved by the AICTE. About 146 students are currently enrolled in the doctoral programmes and 476 in the various master’s programmes.
In keeping with its global outlook, the TERI SAS has academic collaborations with select foreign universities, which provide for joint research and curriculum development as well as faculty and student exchanges. The University attracts students from all over the country and a fair number of international students.
Chief Guests at Convocations
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- The University's first convocation was held on 16 October 2006, where 8 doctoral and 36 master's degrees were awarded. Mr Nandan Nilekani, CEO and MD, Infosys Technologies, delivered the convocation address.
- The second convocation was held on 17 November 2008, where 7 doctoral and 70 master's degrees were awarded. Dr Richard Levin, President of Yale University, was the chief guest.
- The third convocation was held on 28 October 2010, where 9 doctoral and 212 master’s degrees were awarded. Mr Tejendra Khanna, Lt-Governor of Delhi, was the chief guest.
- The fourth convocation was held on 01 February 2012. Eight doctoral and 157 master’s degrees were awarded. The chief guest was HE James A Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles.
- The fifth convocation was held on 30 January 2013. Mr Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Six doctoral and 248 master’s degrees were awarded.
- The sixth convocation was held on 05 February 2014, where 11 doctoral and 195 master’s degrees were awarded. Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri was the Chief Guest.
- The seventh convocation was held on 04 February 2015. Mr Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development, Government of India, was the Chief Guest. During the convocation ceremony, a total of 10 doctoral degrees and 194 master's degrees were awarded.
- The eighth convocation was held on 07 March 2016. Mr Shigeo Katsu, President, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan was the Chief Guest. During the Eighth convocation ceremony, a total of 16 doctoral degrees and 185 master's degrees were conferred.
- The Ninth convocation was held on 04 November 2016. Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development was the Chief Guest. A total of 12 doctoral degrees and 188 master’s degrees were awarded at the convocation.
- The Tenth convocation was held on 10th November’2017. Shri Anil Baijal, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi was the Chief Guest. A total of 16 doctoral degrees and 195 master’s degrees were awarded at the Convocation.
- The 11th convocation was held on 15 November 2018 and a total of 11 doctoral degrees and 251 master’s degrees were awarded at the convocation. Shri Adi Godrej was the Chief Guest.
- The 12th convocation was held on 14 November 2019 and a total of 19 doctoral degrees and 229 master’s degrees were awarded at the convocation. Shri Adi Godrej was the Chief Guest
- The 13th convocation was held on 8 December 2020 and a total of 18 doctoral degrees and 216 master’s degrees were awarded at the convocation. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar was the Chief guest
- The 14th convocation was held on 8 December 2021 and a total of 23 doctoral degrees and 254 master’s degrees were awarded at the convocation. Professor K Vijay Raghavan was the Chief Guest
Honorary Doctorates
28 Honorary Doctorates have been awarded so far –
- Mr Nandan Nilekani, CEO and MD, Infosys Technologies (2006),
- Mr Tejendra Khanna, Lt Governor, Delhi, Dr Sultan Al-Jaber, CEO Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co., Dr KK Yumkella, DG UNIDO (2010),
- Mr James A Michel, President of Seychelles, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President of Guyana, Mr Erik Solheim, Minister of Environment, Norway, Dr Elinor Ostrom, Nobel Laureate, and Ms Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head, HSBC (2012).
- Mr Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the PM ( Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations), Prof Carlo Rubbia, Nobel Laureate, Mr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Zhang Yue, Chairman of BROAD Group, Mr Thomas Friedman, Journalist and columnist, New York Times and Bhupinder Singh Hooda (2013).
- Mr Anshu Jain, Co-CEO, Deutsche Bank, Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee, Nobel Laureate and President, International Council for Science, Taiwan , Mr. Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, DSP BlackRock Investment and Ms. Shabana Azmi, Actor and Social Worker (2014),
- Mr Hiroaki Nakanishi, Chairman and CEO, Hitachi, Mr José Manuel Ramos-Horta, Former President of East Timor, Mr VVS Laxman, Former Cricketer and Mr Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever (2015),
- Mr Shigeo Katsu, President, Nazarbayev University, Dr Petteri Taalas, Secretary General, WMO, Mr Assaad Razzouk, CEO, Sindicatum Sustainable Resources (2016)
- Ms Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (2017)
- Shri Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group (2018) and
- Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and a former Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (2019)
Structure of the University
The University has evolved an organizational structure drawing on the research activities of TERI. Besides the teaching staff of the University, research staff of TERI with PhDs and rich experience of working on projects in various areas, are adjunct faculty to the TERI School of Advance Studies. The departments, at present, are:
- Department of Sustainable Engineering
engaged in research and imparting knowledge in the broad area of clean technologies to achieve energy efficiency and minimize adverse environmental impacts
- Department of Natural and Applied Sciences
aims to advance and impart knowledge about the environment and natural resources, including their characteristics and dynamics, their economic and societal value, and their management.
- Department of Regional Water Studies
Engaged in research and knowledge creation leading to significant capacities at various levels for sustainability of water resources, at both, national and regional levels.
- Department of Biotechnology
dedicated to research and imparting knowledge in the areas of plant and microbial bioresources.
- Department of Policy and Management Studies
aims to provide research-based education that would equip students to implement an integrated approach to business sustainability.
aims to achieve a critical mass of expertise and academic excellence that would provide a basis for influencing public policy and regulatory practice. Business Administration programmes, with a focus on ‘green’ business, are also part of the mandate of this department.
- Centre for Post Graduate Legal Studies
An interdisciplinary centre of excellence dedicated to research and teaching on issues pertaining to society and development
Academic Programmes
At present, the following programmes are offered:
- Ph D
- M Sc (Environmental Studies and Resource Management)
- M Sc (Geoinformatics)
- M Sc (Climate Science and Policy)
- M Sc (Biotechnology)
- M Sc (Economics)
- M Sc (Water Science and Governance)
- MA (Public Policy & Sustainable Development)
- MA (Sustainable Development Practice)
- MBA (Sustainability Management)
- M Tech (Renewable Energy Engineering and Management)
- M Tech (Urban Development Management)
- M Tech (Water Resources Engineering and Management)
- LLM (Environment & Natural Resources Law/Infrastructure & Business Law)
The doctoral programmes and research centre around seven basic themes: Bioresources & Biotechnology, Business sustainability, Energy and Environment, Natural Resources Management, Policy Studies, Water Science & Governance and Legal Studies.
Pedagogical Methods
The University uses classical pedagogical tools for teaching which are richly supplemented by field visits and the study of hands-on applications. The university provides the very best in equipment and instruments, including state-of-the art computer hardware and software, a Geoinformatics laboratory, video-conferencing facilities and South Asia's most comprehensive library on energy and environment.
Faculty members act as guides to students, engaging them in expanding the boundaries of inquiry. Guest lectures by subject experts are organized throughout the year in order to widen our students’ perspective.
The University encourages the exchange of ideas, cultural understanding, and wide range of knowledge that would result from an international exposure. The University firmly believes that ample opportunity should be provided to students to unwind and relax. From participating in presentations to displaying their creative talent in the University's festivals, students have many ways in which to take a break from classroom rigour.
End note
While the University is in the early stages of its exciting journey, the richness of programmes that have already been launched and those that are in the making present a refreshing, innovative flavour and a relevance to tomorrow’s challenges.
