SGS Expands Research & Exchange Opportunities with Universities in South Asia

The Stanford Global Studies Division recently signed a collaborative agreement with Habib University in Pakistan that seeks to develop fieldwork and exchange opportunities for faculty and students at both institutions.

The agreement, which was signed by Habib University President Wasif Rizvi and Stanford Global Studies Director Jeremy M. Weinstein, will encourage faculty and students from a variety of academic fields to conduct joint research and participate in events, classes, and conferences.

"Stanford Global Studies aims to provide unique opportunities for faculty and students from any field to pursue in-depth research on critical issues of global and transnational importance," says Weinstein. "This relationship will aid in that effort and encourage Stanford faculty and students to gain first-hand experience in South Asia, the world's fastest growing region."

Founded in 2014, Habib University is an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences institution in Karachi that seeks to redefine higher education in the country through innovative programs, interdisciplinary study and collaborative learning.

Thomas Blom Hansen, the Reliance-Dhirubhai Ambani Professor in South Asian Studies and Director of the Center for South Asia, was instrumental in facilitating the agreement and has already participated in events at Habib University. He is eager to build on this agreement and expand opportunities for others in the Stanford community to travel to the region.

"Pakistan is the least understood and least researched country in South Asia," says Blom Hansen. "This agreement with a high-quality academic institution makes it possible for us to facilitate and support field-based research in Pakistan in the years to come. Habib's location in Karachi, the economic and cultural powerhouse of Pakistan, makes it a very attractive place to go for faculty and students at Stanford.  Over time, we hope that this agreement will evolve into regular exchange of faculty and students at all levels."

The Center for South Asia has for some time tried to identify suitable institutional partners in South Asia, Blom Hansen explains. "Habib’s emphasis on a liberal arts and sciences makes it an ideal partner."

As part of this joint effort, Habib University will also send undergraduate students to participate in the Stanford Summer Session.

Stanford Global Studies is pursuing similar collaborations with Ashoka University in New Delhi, India, another new private institution founded on a similar teaching philosophy. Ashoka University frequently hosts Stanford faculty for conferences and events and has also sent undergraduate students to participate in the summer session.

"These are extremely smart, alert students, who know a lot about the world and bring unique perspectives to the classroom," says Blom-Hansen.