South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies

2021-08-29T08:42:46Z

49.207.220.57: /* Faculty */

{{Infobox university
| name = South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)
| image_name = basic-logo.png
| established = 1982
| founder = Dr [[Graham Houghton]]
| principal = [[Dr. Prabhu Singh]]
| city = [[Bengaluru]]
| state = [[Karnataka]]
| country = India
| logo_size = 250
}}

'''South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies''' ('''SAIACS''' pronounced sai + axe), is a Christian evangelical institute for postgraduate theological studies and research in [[Bangalore]], [[India]]. Its tagline is: "Excellence for service."

It was founded in 1982, by [[Graham Houghton]], after an over-tea conversation with fellow New Zealander and missionary Bruce Nicholls. Initially, a two-year Master of Theology (MTh) programme in Missiology was offered under the umbrella of the Association of Evangelical Theological Education in India (AETEI), in partnership with Madras Bible Seminary in Chennai (then Madras). However, the first batch of students had some of their classes in [[Chennai]] and others in Bangalore. Finally, by 1983 the programmed moved permanently to Bangalore and sought and received accreditation from [[Asia Theological Association]] (ATA) under its own name.<ref>{{cite book|title=SAIACS: The First Thirty Years|date=2012|publisher=SAIACS Press|location=Bangalore|isbn=9788187712282|pages=29–35|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/101241410/SAIACS-The-First-Thirty-Years#scribd}}</ref>

Since its inception, SAIACS has grown to offer various degrees within several specialisations. It has 130 students on campus each year. In its first year, the SAIACS library had about 100 books. Today it has one of the largest theological library in India with thousands of volumes. SAIACS is now a largely residential research institute which has an evangelical ethos and offers postgraduate degree programmes for an MA, M.Div., M.Th., Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Currently there are six departmental specialisations being offered at SAIACS; namely, Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Missiology, Pastoral Theology & Counselling and Study of Religions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Academics at SAIACS|url=http://www.saiacs.org/Academics.html|website=SAIACS.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610010105/http://www.saiacs.org/Academics.html|archive-date=2015-06-10|df=}}</ref>

The first principal of SAIACS was [[Graham Houghton]]. In 2004, Ashish Chrispal took over as principal. He was followed by F. Hrangkhuma as Principal from 2006-2008, Dr. Ian Payne, from 2008-2018. The current principal is Dr. Prabhu Singh.

==Location==

SAIACS ({{coord|13|03|46|N|77|39|15|E|type:landmark}}) is located in North Bangalore, in the state [[Karnataka]], in [[India]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Location on Google Maps|url=https://www.google.co.in/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d2890!2d77.654199!3d13.062422!4m12!2m11!1m10!1s0x0%3A0xddf57f837cbd99c1!3m8!1m3!1d248850!2d77.6309395!3d12.9539974!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1|website=Google Maps}}</ref>

==Accreditation and Partnership==

All SAIACS degrees are accredited by ATA. In 1997 SAIACS, was also recognized by the University of Mysore as an accredited research institution of the university, enabling SAIACS to offer an accredited Indian PhD programme.<ref>{{cite news|author=Official Documents of University of Mysore|title=No. CDC/F-153/96-97|agency=University of Mysore}}</ref>

In June, 2011, the [[University of Mysore]] further recognized SAIACS as a Centre for Specialized Studies to offer MA in Theology.<ref>{{cite news|author=Official Documents of University of Mysore|title=No. PMEB/13 - South/2010 - 11/13|agency=University of Mysore}}</ref> Similarly, in June 2012, the MPhil programme, which is identical to the MTh programme, was recognised by the University.<ref>{{cite news|author=Official Documents of University of Mysore|title=No. PMEB/13-South/2010-11/199|agency=University of Mysore}}</ref>

In June 2013, [[Asbury Theological Seminary]] ([[Kentucky]]/[[Florida]], US) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAIACS to "facilitate greater partnership between the two institutions. The partnership involves students and faculty exchange, resources sharing and joint classroom interaction."<ref>{{cite web|title=Asbury SAIACS Partnership|url=http://asburyseminary.edu/news/asbury-theological-seminary-and-the-south-asia-institute-of-advanced-christian-studies-form-new-partnership/|website=Asburyseminary.edu}}</ref>

SAIACS is also affiliated with several theologians and authors, including the American writer, [[Frederick Buechner]]. The Institute offers annual awards, named after Buechner, in recognition of Excellence in Writing and Excellence in Preaching among its student body.

==Academic programs==

SAIACS offers residential degree programs under University of Mysore and ATA for Masters of Arts in Christianity (MA), Master of Divinity (M.Div), Master of Theology (M.Th.), Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and a non-residential Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.).

The residency requirement for the M.A. and the M.Th. programs is two academic years. This period may be extended where equivalency course requirements are added to a student's M.Th. program. Doctoral programs involve longer periods.

Typically, courses are taught in modules of four weeks (Monday to Friday). For the M.A. degree, a typical module consists of 60 classroom hours and an exam at the end of the module. A typical module for the M.Th. program consists of 45 classroom lecture hours, usually held in the first three weeks, and 15 classroom hours of student presentations of either a paper or seminar.

==Faculty==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
<caption> '''SAIACS FACULTY'''<ref>https://www.saiacs.org/faculty-team/</ref></caption>
|-
! Department
! Name
! Education
|-
| Intercultural Studies
| Prabhu Singh
(Principal)
|PhD in Intercultural Studies, [[Asbury Theological Seminary]], Kentucky, USA

ThM in Evangelism, [[Asbury Theological Seminary]], Kentucky, USA

MA in Linguistics, [[Madurai Kamaraj University]]

BA in English Literature, St. John’s College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu
|-
| Intercultural Studies
| G. John Daniel
(Academic Dean)
| PhD in Intercultural Studies, SAIACS

MTh in Old Testament, SAIACS

MDiv, [[Southern Asia Bible College]]

BCom, [[Bharathidasan University]]
|-
| Biblical Studies (OT)
| Havilah Dharamraj
| PhD in Old Testament, [[University of Durham]], UK

MA in Christian Studies, SAIACS

MSc in Biochemistry, University of Bangalore
|-
| Biblical Studies (NT)
| Roji Thomas George
| DTh in New Testament, FFRRC, [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]

MTh in New Testament, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

B.D, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

MA in Sociology, [[Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]]

BA in History and Sociology, [[IGNOU]]
|-
| Biblical Studies
| Asish Thomas Koshy
| DTh in New Testament, [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]

MTh in New Testament, [[United Theological College, Bangalore]]

B.D, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

MA, Loyola College
|-
| Theology and History
| Varughese John
| PhD in Kierkegaard Studies, [[Madras Christian College]], [[University of Madras]]

MA in Philosophy, [[Bangalore University]]

B.D, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

B.Sc, St. Joseph’s Arts and Science College, Bangalore
|-
| Theology and History
| Chongpongmeren (Meren) Jamir
|PhD, OCMS, [[Middlesex University]]

M.Th, SAIACS
|-
| Theology and History
| David Muthukumar
|PhD in Systematic Theology, [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], USA

MTh, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

B.D, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

BSc Computer Science, [[Bharathiar University]]
|-
| Theology and History
| Amritraj Joshua Paul
| DTh Candidate in Theology, FFRRC, [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]

MTh, FFRRC, [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]

BD, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

BCom, [[University of Calicut]]
|-
| Pastoral Theology and Counselling
| Varghese Thomas
| PhD in Educational Studies, [[Trinity International University]], Deerfield, IL, USA

MTh in Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS

B.D, [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]

BA in Theology, Hindustan Bible Institute, Chennai
|-
| Pastoral Theology and Counselling
| Jacob Joseph
|Doctor of Ministry (Christian Worship Studies), [[Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary]], USA

Masters in Church Music, [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]], USA

B.D, [[Union Biblical Seminary]]

BA, [[Mahatma Gandhi University]]
|}

==Students==

Most students to SAIACS are sent by their supporting church or organisation and are already under appointment to continue their service upon completion of their studies at SAIACS. Most of the students have served as ordained ministers, theological teachers or Christian workers in churches in Asia. While students are largely from India, SAIACS gets students from [[Australia]], [[Bhutan]], [[Brazil]], [[Canada]], [[China]], [[Guatemala]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Indonesia]], [[Kenya]], [[Korea]], [[Malaysia]], [[Nepal]], [[New Zealand]], [[Nigeria]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Sudan]], [[Thailand]], and [[United States|USA]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SAIACS Student details|url=http://www.saiacs.org/History-Credentials.html|website=SAIACS.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610010158/http://www.saiacs.org/History-Credentials.html|archive-date=2015-06-10|df=}}</ref>

==SAIACS Press==

SAIACS Press is the publishing arm of SAIACS, and it aims to publish research that challenge the church in South Asia. Most of its publications are written or revised for India. There are primarily two types of publications; the Dome Series and the Spire Series. The Dome Series publications are scholarly works. Spire Series books are more popular guides to Christian thought and living.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAIACS Press|url=http://www.saiacs.org/SAIACSPress.html|website=SAIACS.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223153130/http://www.saiacs.org/SAIACSPress.html|archive-date=2015-02-23|df=}}</ref>

==SAIACS CEO Centre==

In 2005, the Continuing Education Opportunities Centre (or CEO Centre) was started at SAIACS with the aim to generate scholarships for deserving SAIACS students. The CEO Centre is a premium conference centre and management training site, built right next to SAIACS.<ref>{{cite web|title=CEO Centre|url=http://www.saiacs.org/CEOCentre.html|website=SAIACS.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610010128/http://www.saiacs.org/CEOCentre.html|archive-date=2015-06-10|df=}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.saiacs.org Official Site of SAIACS]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150223153130/http://www.saiacs.org/SAIACSPress.html Publications of SAIACS]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:South Asia Institute Of Advanced Christian Studies}}
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in India]]
[[Category:Christian universities and colleges in India]]
[[Category:Christian seminaries and theological colleges|India]]

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South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies