South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies
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South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS) is an institute for post-graduate theological studies and research in Bangalore, India. It has an evangelical ethos and aim at a pursuit of excellence for God's service.
Graham Houghton, born in 1938 and raised in New Zealand, on a farm in the Manawatu near Palmerston North, was the founding principal of the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS), in Bangalore, India.
SAIACS offers postgraduate degree programmes for an MA, MTh, Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
SAIACS strives for biblical and contextually relevant theological studies so that the students will make a meaningful and significant impact in their respective contexts for the glory of God.
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[edit] Mission, Vision and Core Values
Vision Statement: With God's help and our commitment to evangelical faith, we seek to be the most outstanding postgraduate theological educational institution in South Asia to serve the Church of Jesus Christ.
Mission Statement: To train Christian leaders to demonstrate Christ-likeness and excellence in academic, ministry and mission, by offering world-class, postgraduate degree programs in a caring and egalitarian community.
SAIACS Core Values: We aim to achieve our mission through encouraging Christ-likeness, faithful study of the Bible, deep commitment to serve others and the Church, excellence and integrity in reflective thinking, equal acceptance of all people in God’s new humanity, ability to communicate contextually, humble accountability, positive valuation of advanced theological education for the church and responsible care for the environment. We promote these in order that, with renewed zeal, our graduates may proclaim the Gospel and make disciples for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
[edit] Location
SAIACS () is located in Bangalore, the Garden City of India, almost at the centre of peninsular southern India, and easily reached by road, rail or air. The ten-acre campus, set 13 kilometres from the city centre, is far enough into the countryside to be free of the pollution of the fastest growing city in India.
The buildings are constructed with local materials and echo indigenous forms that are modern, enduring and eye pleasing. The lawns and hundreds of trees and shrubs provide remarkable park-like surroundings. The overall result conveys an outstanding 'spirit of peace'. Indeed the architecture has won acclaim in the journal Architecture and Design (Sept/Oct 1996).
[edit] Faculty
SAIACS sees itself as a premier centre of evangelical higher theological learning in South Asia. It brings to its halls some of the finest scholars from all over the world to teach and guide the students in research. Apart from the adjunct and visiting professors, the residential faculty brings in various expertises to strengthen the overall learning experience at SAIACS.
SAIACS emphasizes the importance of academics. Positioned as a premier institute for evangelical, higher theological training in South Asia, SAIACS attracts some of the finest scholars from across the globe, to teach and guide its students. It aims for quality in all aspects of the curriculum, stressing the importance of sound research methodology, good writing and analytical skills and intellectual integrity. It is justifiably proud of the research produced by its students.
[edit] Accreditation
In 1997 SAIACS was recognized by the University of Mysore as an accredited research institution to the university, enabling SAIACS to offer an accredited Indian Ph.D. programme. This is the first Protestant institution to be so recognized since William Carey's Serampore College in 1818. All of it's courses are accredited by ATA (Asia Theological Association), the largest evangelical accrediting agnency in Asia. The degrees from SAIACS are well received and accepted in many reputed colleges & seminaries both in India and abroad.
[edit] Academic Programs
Residential and Non-Residential
SAIACS offers residential degree programs for Masters of Arts in Christianity (MA), Master of Theology (MTh), Doctor of Missiology (DMiss), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and a non-residential program in 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.
Modular System
Typically, courses are taught in modules of four weeks duration (Monday to Friday). For the MA degree, a typical module consists of 60 classroom hours, and an exam at the end of the module. A typical module for the MTh program consists of 45 classroom lecture hours, usually held in the first three weeks, and 15 classroom hours of student presentations of either a paper or seminar.
[edit] Students
While students are largely from India, It also gets, in the various programs, students from Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Canada, El Salvador, Holland, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and USA. Such students bring to SAIACS a wealth of culture, itself an important aspect of missiological studies.
Most of the students are men and women who have served as ordained ministers, theological teachers or missionaries and Christian workers in the churches in Asia. Most students are sent by their sponsoring church or mission and are already under appointment to continue their service upon completion of their studies at SAIACS.
[edit] Campus Life
SAIACS is an offering to God. A large stone at the entrance to the campus testifies, "This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes." (Ps. 118:23) Every building on the campus has been dedicated with the prayer that all who passes through the portals of this place will seek to know the Lord Jesus and make Him known.
SAIACS believes in respect and dignity for all. You will have a first-hand experience of this when you join others in the dining room. All members of the community – students, faculty, office and library staff, domestic staff, gardeners and watchmen, sit at table together to share the meal. This “common meal” is a reflection of the value placed on every person. At the same time, SAIACS encourages a healthy mix of ethnic diversity without regionalism or groupism.
SAIACS is committed to prayer and spiritual development. The morning chapel services, the cell groups which meet regularly, Sunday worship services, the annual prayer day, and daily faculty and staff prayer time are geared toward encouraging spiritual growth in the community. Spiritual formation and development is also an essential component of the curriculum for all students.
SAIACS is an attractive, clean, peaceful and healthy environment that helps foster an appreciation of God's creation.
[edit] SAIACS Press
SAIACS Press aims to publish relevant, imaginative and culturally sensitive research that reflects on Biblical truth and on issues that challenge the church in South Asia in order that the truth may transform Asia.
Most of it's publications are written or revised for India's context. They are geared to help South Asian Christians feel equipped, pastors enriched, and missionaries enthused. The books carry the standing of SAIACS itself, working for excellence in Christian walk and ministry. To help channel it's output, SAIACS Press, which is an imprint of SAIACS Publications, offers two series that are geared towards different audiences. SAIACS Press publishes the Dome Series and the Spire Series. Dome Series publications are scholarly works. Spire Series books are more popular guides to Christian thought and living. Find out more information at http://www.saiacs.org/SAIACSPress_LatestBooks.htm
