The Institute of South Asian Studies was established in July 2004 as an autonomous research institute within the National University of Singapore (NUS). The establishment of the Institute reflects the increasing economic and political importance of South Asia, and the strong historical links between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Mission
The Institute is dedicated to the study of contemporary South Asia. It aims to generate knowledge and insights about the region, and to disseminate them in a manner that is useful to policy-makers, the business community, academia and civil society.
Key Activities
The Institute is actively engaged in:
Developing multidisciplinary research programmes and generating publication pertaining to economic, political and social developments in South Asia;
Organising conferences, seminars and public lectures;
Interacting with government and international bodies, and the business community;
Establishing linkages with centres of South Asia research worldwide and think tanks in South Asia;
Assisting NUS to develop research on South Asia; and
Promoting public awareness of South Asia.
Logo
The Institute of South Asian Studies' logo comprises three stylised circles of different sizes rising from the acronym ISAS.
The dark red circles in motion convey ISAS' proactive and continual efforts to promote and develop research on contemporary South Asia. The different sizes of the three circles represent the variety of perspectives and processes underpinning ISAS' approach in highlighting the economic, political and social importance of South Asia.
The dark red represents strength, stability and vibrancy - important traits of the Institute. The gray reflects corporate identity, convention, and a sense of formality.
The union of the circles and the acronym ISAS shows the Institute's efforts to integrate its research and understanding of South Asia to the development of Singapore, and to economic relationships between South and Southeast Asia and within South Asia itself.
