The Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) successfully organized a Ten-Day Research Methodology Course on “Decolonising International Relations: Indian Methodologies and Perspectives on West Asia, North Africa and Central Asia” from 2nd to 12th February 2026. The course was funded by the ICSSR, New Delhi and saw participation from PDF/PhD scholars in Social Sciences drawn from universities and other academic institutions across the country.
The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia on 2 February 2026 in the presence of eminent academicians and senior university administrators. In his inaugural address, Prof. Rizvi emphasised on the need to develop an Indian perspective in social science research. He explained the relevance of evolving conceptual and theoretical frameworks rooted in Indian intellectual traditions and elaborated how such frameworks are useful for conducting research from an Indian perspective.
Prof. Tanuja, Dean, Academics, JMI, graced the occasion and spoke on the importance of bringing interdisciplinary multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in Social Science research in tune with NEP 2020. Prof. Zubair Meenai, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, JMI, also attended the inaugural session as the Guest of Honour, and highlighted the growing need for such research methodology courses for social science scholars. In his address, Prof. Meenai emphasized the importance of such courses in strengthening academic rigour and critical engagement.
Prof. Anisur Rahman, Course Director, introduced the themes and objectives of the course and outlined its focus on decolonising International Relations through Indian methodologies and perspectives. Prof. Hemayun Akhtar Nazmi, Director, Centre for West Asian Studies, explained the nature and structure of the programme and extended his best wishes to all participants. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Sebastian N. and thereafter, the regular academic sessions of the course commenced.
30 research scholars who have been selected from more than 200 applicants from over 50 universities and institutions across India participated in this ten-day course. These participants included 10 scholars from across India, 10 from Delhi/NCR region, and 10 from Jamia Millia Islamia. The participants represented 12 universities and 15 departments and institutions. The course consisted of three academic sessions of 90 minutes each day over a period of 10 days, and also included an academic visit to the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), Teen Murti, New Delhi. A total of 18 professors from reputed institutions like Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, University of Hyderabad, Central University of Gujarat, NIEPA, University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Hamdard University, and Jamia Millia Islamia, engaged classes during the programme.
The valedictory session of the programme was attended by Prof. Abuzar Khairi, Director, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, who delivered the valedictory address as the Chief Guest and Prof. Aftab Ahmed, Director, India-Arab Cultural Centre. Both dignitaries congratulated the participants and organizers on the successful completion of the course and urged research scholars to use the knowledge and insights that they gained from the course for their future research. Prof. Sebastian N. gave the concluding remarks and Prof. Anisur Rahman delivered the vote of thanks. Three participants too shared their experiences. Certificates were distributed to participants in the valedictory session.
The programme successfully achieved its objective of equipping young scholars with critical research methodologies, promoting indigenous and decolonial perspectives, and enhancing research capacities in International Relations and Area Studies, with a particular focus on West Asia, North Africa, and Central Asia.
Source : Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi