S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies is an autonomous graduate school of Nanyang Technological University and a defence and security-oriented think tank in Singapore. Founded in 1996 as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies , RSIS offers graduate education in international affairs and strategic studies, taught by an array of international faculty. The school is named in honour of S. Rajaratnam, Singapore's former deputy prime minister who had also been its longest-serving Foreign Minister. It is regarded as one of the best graduate schools for international studies in Asia.
RSIS' research, teaching and networking objectives are aimed at assisting policymakers to develop comprehensive approaches to strategic thinking in areas related to Singapore's interests.
Overview
The RSIS started off as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, an autonomous research institute within the Nanyang Technological University.Its stated objectives are to conduct research and provide general and graduate education in the area of national security, military technology and international relations. It also promotes joint and exchange programmes with similar regional and international institutions; and organises seminars and conferences on these topics.
When RSIS was established on 1 January 2007, the IDSS continued to remain as a security-research-focused institute within the school, and teaching functions were taken over by the school.
Constituents of the school include
- Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies,
- International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research,
- Centre of Excellence for National Security,
- Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies,
- Centre for Multilateralism Studies.
- Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme
- National Security Studies Programme
- Future Issues and Technology
- Social Cohesion Research Programme
Research
Research at RSIS covers a wide spectrum of security and strategic issues, organised into four interlinking areas:- Asia-Pacific Security
- Conflict and Non-traditional Security
- International Political Economy
- Country and Area Studies
The S. Rajaratnam Professorship in Strategic Studies brings distinguished scholars to participate in the work of the institute. Previous holders of the chairmanship include Professors Stephen Walt, Jack Snyder, Wang Jisi, Alastair Iain Johnston and John Mearsheimer. A visiting research fellow Programme enables overseas scholars to carry out related research in the school.
Teaching
The RSIS Master of Science programme offers advanced education to professionals from both the private and public sectors in Singapore and overseas in four specializations: Strategic Studies, International Relations, International Political Economy, and Asian Studies. The school also offers double-degree programmes in collaboration with the University of Warwick and the Nanyang Business School at NTU.The RSIS Doctoral programme was established in 2006 and awards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for research in the areas of study of the institute.
In addition to these graduate programmes, the school teaches a variety of modules in courses conducted by the SAFTI Military Institute, the SAFWOS Leadership School, the Civil Defence Academy, and the Defence and Home Affairs Ministries.
Networking
RSIS convenes workshops, seminars and colloquia on aspects of international relations and security development that are of contemporary and historical significance. The school's activities include public lectures, the Colloquium on Strategic Trends in the 21st Century, the annual Asia Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers, the Asia Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers, the biennial Asia Pacific Security Conference and the Singapore Global Dialogue.RSIS staff regularly participate in Track II Security Dialogues and scholarly conferences in the Asia-Pacific. The school has participated in research projects funded by the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. It also serves as the secretariat for the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, Singapore.