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South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies

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South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS /ˈsaɪæks/), is an ecumenical institution for Theological studies in Bangalore, India. The motto of SAIACS is: "Excellence for service."[1][2]

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)
Established1982
FounderLate Dr Graham Houghton
Academic affiliations
PrincipalDr Prabhu Singh
Location
Bengaluru
,
Karnataka
,
India

History

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SAIACS was founded in 1982, by Dr Graham Houghton and fellow New Zealander, Bruce Nicholls.[3] Initially, the college offered a two-year Master of Theology (MTh) programme in Missiology which was offered under the umbrella of the Association of Evangelical Theological Education in India (AETEI), in partnership with Madras Bible Seminary in Chennai (formerly, Madras). In the year 1983 the programme was moved permanently to Bangalore and sought and received accreditation from Asia Theological Association (ATA) under its own name.[4]

SAIACS offers degrees within several specialisations accommodating more than 100 students on campus each year. SAIACS has one of the largest theological library in India with thousands of volumes. SAIACS is now a largely residential research institute and offers postgraduate degree programmes for an MA, MDiv, MTh, Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Currently there are six departmental specialisations being offered at SAIACS; namely, New Testament (NT), Old Testament (OT), Theology and History (TH), Intercultural and Religious Studies, Pastoral Theology and Counselling (PTC) and Church History.[5]

Leadership

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SAIACS first principal was Principal Emeritus late Dr Graham Houghton.[6][7] In 2004, Dr Ashish Chrispal took over as principal. He was followed by late Dr F. Hrangkhuma as principal from 2006 - 2008, Dr Ian Payne, from 2008 - 2018.[8] Dr Prabhu Singh took over from Dr Ian Payne and is the current principal of SAIACS.

Location

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SAIACS main campus is located in Kothanur, North Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka, India.[9] Its Mysore campus is located in 1st Phase, Kuvempunagar, Mysuru, in the state of Karnataka, India.[10]

Accreditation and partnership

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SAIACS degrees are accredited by Asia Theological Association.[11]

In June 1997, SAIACS was recognized by the University of Mysore as an accredited research institution of the university where students can enroll for a PhD program under University of Mysore.[12]

In June 2011, the University of Mysore further recognized SAIACS as a Centre for Specialized Studies to offer MA in Theology where students can graduate with MA degree from the University of Mysore after writing Mysore University examination.[13]

Similarly, in June 2012, the MPhil programme, which is identical to the MTh programme, was recognised by the University of Mysore.[14]

In June 2013, Asbury Theological Seminary (Kentucky/Florida, US) seminary 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."[15]

In June 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Asbury Theological Seminary to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree, focusing on leadership in ministry where students can graduate with a DMin from Asbury Seminary.[16]

Academic programs

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SAIACS offers residential degree programs under ATA for

  • Masters of Arts in Theological Studies, MA (TS)
  • Masters of Arts in Theology, MA (Th)
  • Masters of Arts in Worship and Music, MA (WM)
  • Master of Divinity, MDiv
  • Master of Theology, MTh
  • Integrated MTh
  • Post Graduation Diploma in Biblical Languages, PGDip (BL)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
  • and a non-residential Doctor of Ministry (DMin).

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

In addition SAIACS also provides ATA accredited MA and MDiv in online mode.

Students

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Majority of students to SAIACS come from the neighboring states and are sent by their supporting church or organisation and are already under appointment to continue their service upon completion of their studies at SAIACS. Many students have served as ordained ministers, theological teachers or Christian workers in churches in Asia. SAIACS has also trained students from countries like Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, and USA.[17]

SAIACS Press

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SAIACS Publications is the publishing arm of the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies. SAIACS Press is an imprint that publishes relevant, creative, and culturally sensitive research that resources the church and society in the area of theology and ministry. SAIACS Publications also partner with other foreign publishing houses to bring select titles to South Asia at an affordable price.[18]

SAIACS CEO Centre

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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.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Mission – SAIACS". Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  2. ^ "Theological Distinctives – SAIACS".
  3. ^ Kurian, George Thomas, and Mark A. Lamport, eds. Encyclopedia of Christian education. Vol. 3. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015.
  4. ^ SAIACS: The First Thirty Years. Bangalore: SAIACS Press. 2012. pp. 29–35. ISBN 9788187712282.
  5. ^ "Academics at SAIACS". SAIACS.org. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  6. ^ "Dr. Graham Houghton - SAIACS Legacy".
  7. ^ Houghton, Graham (April 1985). "Caste and the Protestant Church: A Historical Perspective". Transformation. 2 (2): 30–33. doi:10.1177/026537888500200209. S2CID 149044841.
  8. ^ Payne, Ian W. (2014). Wouldn't You Love to Know?: Trinitarian Epistemology and Pedagogy. Eugene, OR: Pickcwick Publications. ISBN 9781625640772.
  9. ^ "Location on Google Maps". Google Maps.
  10. ^ "PMEB/SPL/268/SAIACS/2011-12/317" (PDF). University of Mysore. 2019-11-18.
  11. ^ "Accreditation – SAIACS".
  12. ^ Official Documents of University of Mysore. "No. CDC/F-153/96-97". University of Mysore.
  13. ^ Official Documents of University of Mysore. "No. PMEB/13 - South/2010 - 11/13". University of Mysore.
  14. ^ Official Documents of University of Mysore. "No. PMEB/13-South/2010-11/199". University of Mysore.
  15. ^ "Asbury SAIACS Partnership". Asburyseminary.edu. 5 July 2013.
  16. ^ Wilcox, Heidi (24 March 2022). "Asbury Theological Seminary signs MOU with SAIACS in India". Asbury Theological Seminary.
  17. ^ "SAIACS Student details". SAIACS.org. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10.
  18. ^ "SAIACS Press". SAIACS.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23.
  19. ^ "CEO Centre". SAIACS.org. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10.
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