Centre for African Studies

University of Mumbai - Centre for African Studies

ABOUT


 

Speech of H.E. Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Former President of India

 

PROFILE

The Centre for African Studies at the University of Mumbai is one of the three departments in India that focuses exclusively on African affairs. The University Grants Commission (UGC) established the African Studies Programme in 1971-72, at the University of Mumbai, as a part of its efforts to develop Area Studies Programme at the University level. The African Studies Programme became a full fledged Centre of the University in 1984. The Centre is housed in the Area Studies Building located at Vidyanagari Campus of the University of Mumbai in Kalina, Santacruz (East).
The Centre is actively involved in research and inter-disciplinary teaching at the postgraduate level. The Centre offers M.A. degree in African Studies with an additional option of M.A. degree in African Studies in combination with other social science disciplines. The Centre offers a certificate course in International Trade (Africa) and a certificate course in Swahili language. In addition to teaching, the Centre has achieved academic excellence through its research programmes. The Centre for African Studies offers M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in African Studies. The teaching and research programme of the Centre covers both, traditional and contemporary African issues. The current research focus of the Centre includes India’s Africa Policy, Emerging Powers and Africa, Indian Diaspora in Africa, African Diaspora in India, India’s Energy Security issues in Africa, issues of governance and democracy in Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Over the years, the Centre has successfully undertaken several projects on Africa from governmental and non-governmental agencies and also organized international conferences, seminars, round tables and workshops. The Centre encourages fellows and scholars having an active interest in Africa to come and share their academic expertise with the students and faculty members at the Centre. The main purpose of such interactions is to strengthen the academic programmes of the Centre and facilitate the researchers to develop better understanding of African affairs.
The Centre for African Studies has an in-house documentation unit that provides documentation services to the faculty and researchers. It receives documents/reports from academic institutions and international organizations on a complimentary/exchange basis. Jawaharlal Nehru Library of the University located at Vidyanagari Campus also provides research space and other facilities to the scholars for doing research on Africa. It has a large collection of books and journals on African affairs. The Centre for African Studies has developed a successful relationship with trading and business houses who have constantly supported the Centre’s academic endeavors through their participation and financial support.
The Centre publishes a bi-annual in-house journal African Currents which contains research articles written by the Centre’s faculty and research students, lectures delivered at the Centre by eminent Africanists, bibliography prepared by the documentation unit of the Centre. Research papers and reports are also published by the Centre in the form of working papers. The Centre’s main objective is to promote African Studies as an academic discipline with a holistic understanding of Africa with its social, cultural, economic and strategic specificities and to provide critical inputs to the policy makers; particularly in India’s economic, strategic and political interest and to contribute towards Indian perspective of the region and issues.

FACILITIES

FACILITIES
Documentation Unit:

The Centre’s Documentation Unit is a reference library designed to support the curriculum and general information needs of faculty, research staff and students. It keeps in touch with the African Studies Institutions, both within and outside the country. It houses a variety of information on the African countries. The collection includes books and periodicals. The Centre has built a sizeable collection of primary and secondary source materials on African History, Economics, Geography, Politics and Sociology. The Documentation Unit of the Centre maintains a catalogue of the African collection of the University Library. The Documentation Unit consists of a Documentation Officer, a Documentation Assistant and a Library Attendant.

University Library:

Two libraries are maintained by the University (1) Jawaharlal Nehru Library, Vidyanagari Campus, and (2) University Library at Fort Campus. Application forms for Reader’s Ticket are available in both libraries. This application may be submitted through the Centre with counter signature of the Head of the Department. Students should familiarize themselves with the University library rules governing (i) reading facilities in the library (ii) lending of books (iii) special facility to research students. All information regarding the library may be obtained from the Librarian, University of Mumbai.

University Hostels:

The Boy’s Hostels are maintained by the University of Mumbai for the students of the Departments of the University at Churchgate and Vidyanagari Campus, Kalina, with limited number of seats. The University also maintain Girls’ Hostels at Kalina Campus with limited number of seats. Students seeking admission to the Hostel are required to fill in the application form, which must be submitted to the Warden before the beginning of the academic term for which the admission is sought. The form should be forwarded through the Head of the Department. The allocation of seats in the Hostel will be notified on the Hostel’s Notice Board at the beginning of each term. Rules and regulations (Hostel fees, room rent and other charges as determined by the University) can be obtained from the Warden of the respective Hostels. Students otherwise eligible for admission to the Hostel may be admitted during a vacation, if such admission is sought for academic purposes. The postal addresses of the Hostels are:-

Boy’s Hostel:
(1) International Students Hostel, ‘C’ Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020.
(2) Jugannath Sunkersett Hall, ‘B’ Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020.
(3) Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Boys Hostel, Vidyangari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400098.

Girl’s Hostel:
(1) Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve Girls’ Hostel, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400098.
(2) Dr. Pandita Ramabai Girls’ Hostel, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400098.
(3) Savitribai Phule Girls’ Hostel, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400098.

Contact
Centre for African Studies,
University of Mumbai,
Area Studies Bldg. Opposite Ranade Bhavan,
Vidyanagari Campus, Santacruz (E),
Mumbai – 400098
Tel. No.: 022 26543417/ 022 26530241
E-mail: director@cas.mu.ac.in

STAFF

Teaching Staff

Faculty

 

sahu Name : Dr. Manendra V. Sahu
Qualification : M.A. Ph.D. (University of Mumbai, Mumbai, 2000)
Designation : Director & Professor
Area & Subject Specialization : Security / International Relations / India- Africa Relations
E-mail : sahu9999@gmail.com

Non-Teaching Staff

Mrs. Sheetal Hadkar Documentation Assistant
Mrs. Pratibha Raut Jr. Typist Clerk
Mr. Dinesh Kadam Library Attendant
Mr. Deepak Sawant Peon
Mr. Jainarayan J. Sivotra Hamal

RESEARCH

The current research focus of the Centre includes India’s Africa Policy, Emerging Powers and Africa, Indian Diaspora in Africa and African Diaspora in India and India’s Energy Security Issues and Africa, Issues of Governance and Democracy in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.

It includes the following topics: Trade and Investment in Agri Business in Select West African Countries. Foreign Direct Investment A Driving Force of Economic Growth: India’s FDI Role in Ethiopia’s Economic Growth.

Resource Diplomacy of India and China in Africa: Investigating Energy and Food Security. Role of Defense Diplomacy in Enhancing Co Operation between India and East Africa. Changing Geo – Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean: Challenges and Opportunities of the African Countries.

India and China’s Engagement in Africa. Gandhi, The Press and The Making of Mahatma (1983 – 1914) : The South African Context. South Africa in International Affairs – The Post Apartheid Era. Issues in Health Governance and Medical Tourism of Africans to India. India’s Role in U.N. Peace Keeping in Africa: Case Study of Democratic Republic & Congo (DRC).

The Development and Acquisition of Nuclear Power in Nigeria: Implications for National Defense Strategy and Foreign Policy in the Twenty First Century.
Infrastructural Constraints on Agricultural Development in Sudan.
Security with a New Perspective: The Case of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
India – South Africa Relations: Special Reference to IBSA & BRICS.
India’s Relations with East Africa: A Case Study of Mauritius and Tanzania.
Indians in Uganda: A Saga of Achievements and Adversity.
Female Circumcision/Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: A Case Study of Ethiopia. Indian Diaspora in East Africa and Francophone Africa.
India’s Trade and Investment with African Countries: Special Reference to Nigeria.
India – Kenya Trade Relations in Post – Independence Era (2002 – 2012).
Political Development and Media in South African in the Post – Apartheid Period.
African National Congress (ANC) and Nation Building in South Africa: The Post Apartheid Era.
Food Security and the Role of Emerging Powers in Africa

Working Papers