Certificate Course in International Trade (Africa) Admission Notice 2018-19
Certificate Course in International Trade (Africa) Admission Form
Speech of H.E. Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Former President of India
The Centre for African Studies at the University of Mumbai is the oldest of 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 financed by the UGC and University of Mumbai for its academic activities and development of infrastructural facilities.
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 aholistic 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.
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, pamphlets 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. It circulates:
Current Contents list of content pages of select African and non Africa journals (yearly)
Select List of Articles on Africa that appear in the African and non-African journals (yearly)
The Documentation Unit consists of a Documentation Officer, 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.
Screens a Documentary Film
Over the years, the Centre has successfully organized international conferences, seminars, round tables and workshops.
Seminar "Niryat Bandhu on India's Exports: Africa, Russia, Central Asia" (14 February 2015)
International Seminar on "BRICS and Beyond: Vision for 2025" (17-18 September 2014)
Public lecture on "Investment opportunities in Rwanda" (28 March 2014)
Summit on "India's Energy Security: Focus Africa - Eurasia" (21 March 2014)
Workshop on "Dynamics of Risk Management in International Trade : Focus Africa" (8 May 2013)
International Conference on "Emerging Asian Powers in Africa." (14 - 15 February 2013)
National Seminar on "Researching Africa: Contemporary Doctoral Works in Indian Universities." (27 - 28 November 2012)
International Conference on "New Actors and Diaspora as Important Factors in Africa's International Relations and Development" (29 November 2012)
International Seminar on 'The 'North' and the 'South' :Changing Ideas, Evolving Policies" (17-18 February, 2012)
International Conference on "India-Africa Enduring Partnership: Emerging Areas of Co-operation" ( 2 - 4 March 2011)
International Conference on "India, Africa and Food Security: Between the Summits." (10- 11January 2011)
International Conference on "South-South Cooperation: Africa on the Centre Stage." (23 - 25 February 2009)
Workshop on "Emerging Sectors in India-Africa Cooperation: Indian Pharmaceutical Exports to East Africa." (17 September 2008).
Seminar on "India-Africa Relations: Emerging Policy and Development Perspective." (23 - 25July 2006)
National Seminar on "Business Opportunities in Africa." (10 March 2004)
National Seminar on "Unity and Development in the 21st Century: Afro-Asian Perspective." ( 9 March 2004)
Workshop on "Doing Business with Africa: The Role of Industrial Association." (26 March 2003)
International Conference on "Indian Ocean Island States and Littoral: Conflict and Co - operation." (19 - 21 April 2001)
National Seminar on "Changing Pattern of Interdependence: Regional and Global" (29 - 31 January 1998)
Seminar on "Area Studies Programme in Indian Universities." (12 - 13 April 1996)
National Seminar on "Conflict Situation in Africa." (15 - 17 December 1994)