welcome address of the Director to the Inaugural function

Respected Dean Social Sciences, Prof Bashir. A  Khan, Prof. Noor Mohmmad Baba, Prof. Gulshan Majeed, faculty members and students.  Before I say a few words about the new course that has been introduced at the Institute of Kashmir Studies, I believe i will be failing in my duties if I do not acknowledge the support and encouragement that I have received from the Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Talat, I must say that we are here today making a new beginning by introducing a M.A programme in Anthropology only because honourable Vice-Chancellor had complete trust in our capabilities and our commitment to our students and the overall academics. He believed in us and it is this belief that eventually inspired us to develop a curriculum for the newly introduced course, one that is described by some scholars as ‘the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities’. Anthropology is essentially a comparative study of humans, their societies and their cultural worlds. It simultaneously explores human diversity and what it is that all human beings have in common.

In a globalized age the ongoing epidemic has exposed our vulnerability to diseases testing our political and economic systems.  In these challenging times Anthropology extends our vision beyond familiar social contexts and experiences. The discipline invites deeper analysis of behaviours that we might think we fully understand, but that have histories and complexities, that are revealed only after a careful investigation.  We expect that the two years Masters Programme in Anthropology will train our students into engaged scholars, attentive readers and rigorous social analysts.  Our students will develop a critical awareness of changing social values and practices.

In Indian context many leading universities offer courses in Anthropology including University of Delhi, North Eastern Hill University and University of Hyderabad.  I am glad to inform you that our team of faculty members have consulted the syllabi of all the leading universities offering M.A in Anthropology and the course offered by the Institute is an updated version of the courses offered by the universities across India.

As far as career opportunities are concerned the Anthropologists have been hired by the leading research organizations, the development sector and in the government sector in policy making etc. The Anthropology has also been one of the most sought after courses for Union Public Service Commission examinations.  I believe this course is going to be of great benefit to our students.

On behalf of the Institute I welcome all the first batch of the students admitted to the course and I wish them all success.