S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Encyclopedia
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University
(NTU) was established on 1 January 2007. The school came about as an expansion of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), which was established in 1996.
The school is named after the one of modern Singapore's founding fathers, the late Mr. S. Rajaratnam, who held various Cabinet appointments until his retirement.
Constituents of the school include
RSIS claims to exist to "develop a community of scholars and policy analysts at the forefront of Asia-Pacific
security studies and international affairs." The School's motto is “Ponder the Improbable.” Its research
, teaching and networking
objectives are aimed at assisting policy makers to develop comprehensive approaches to strategic thinking in areas related to Singapore’s interests.
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 created on 1 January 2007 IDSS remained a security-research focused institute within the School and teaching functions were taken over by the School.
The involvement of institutions and experts from around the world in RSIS’ research programmes is a testimony to the School’s international standing. These institutes include the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University
and individual experts from institutions such as Beijing University, Jawaharlal Nehru University
, the University of Warwick
, the London School of Economics
, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government
, the RAND Corporation and Johns Hopkins University
's School of Advanced International Studies.
RSIS shares its research findings with the strategic studies and defence policy communities through workshops, conferences, articles in refereed journals
and frequent analyses of contemporary events through the RSIS Commentary series.
The School has also established the S. Rajaratnam Professorship in Strategic Studies (named after Singapore’s first Foreign Minister
), to bring distinguished scholars to participate in the work of the Institute. Previous holders of the Chair include Professors Stephen Walt
(Harvard University), Jack Snyder (Columbia University
), Wang Jisi
(Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
), Alastair Iain Johnston (Harvard University) and John Mearsheimer
(University of Chicago
). A Visiting Research Fellow Programme also enables overseas scholars to carry out related research in the School.
, the Master of Science in International Relations
,the Master of Science in International Political Economy
and the Master of Science in 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 also teaches modules in courses conducted by the SAFTI Military Institute
, SAF Warrant Officer School
, Civil Defence Academy, and the Defence
and Home Affairs
Ministries.
RSIS staff 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 (CSCAP), Singapore.
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
(NTU) was established on 1 January 2007. The school came about as an expansion of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), which was established in 1996.
The school is named after the one of modern Singapore's founding fathers, the late Mr. S. Rajaratnam, who held various Cabinet appointments until his retirement.
Constituents of the school include
- The Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS),
- The International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR),
- The Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS),
- The Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies in Asia (NTS),
- The Temasek Foundation Centre for Trade and Negotiations (TFCTN).
RSIS claims to exist to "develop a community of scholars and policy analysts at the forefront of Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
security studies and international affairs." The School's motto is “Ponder the Improbable.” Its research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
, teaching and networking
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
objectives are aimed at assisting policy makers to develop comprehensive approaches to strategic thinking in areas related to Singapore’s interests.
History
The Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) was established on 30 July 1996 by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. It was an autonomous research instituteResearch institute
A research institute is an establishment endowed for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research...
within the Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
.
Its stated objectives are to conduct research and provide general and graduate education in the area of national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
, military technology
Military technology
Military technology is the collection of equipment, vehicles, structures and communication systems that are designed for use in warfare. It comprises the kinds of technology that are distinctly military in nature and not civilian in application, usually because they are impractical in civilian...
and international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. It also promotes joint and exchange programmes with similar regional and international institutions; and organises seminars and conferences on these topics.
When RSIS was created on 1 January 2007 IDSS remained a security-research focused institute within the School and teaching functions were taken over by the School.
Research
Research at RSIS covers a wide spectrum of security and strategic issues, organised into four interlinking areas:- Asia-Pacific SecurityAsia-PacificAsia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
- Conflict and Non-traditional Security
- International Political EconomyInternational political economyInternational political economy , also known as global political economy, is an academic discipline within the social sciences that analyzes international relations in combination with political economy. As an interdisciplinary field it draws on many distinct academic schools, most notably ...
- Country and Area StudiesArea studiesArea studies are interdisciplinary fields of research and scholarship pertaining to particular geographical, national/federal, or cultural regions. The term exists primarily as a general description for what are, in the practice of scholarship, many heterogeneous fields of research, encompassing...
The involvement of institutions and experts from around the world in RSIS’ research programmes is a testimony to the School’s international standing. These institutes include the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and individual experts from institutions such as Beijing University, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University, also known as JNU, is located in New Delhi, the capital of India. It is mainly a research oriented postgraduate University with approximately 5,500 students and a faculty strength of around 550.-History:...
, the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
, the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, the RAND Corporation and Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
's School of Advanced International Studies.
RSIS shares its research findings with the strategic studies and defence policy communities through workshops, conferences, articles in refereed journals
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
and frequent analyses of contemporary events through the RSIS Commentary series.
The School has also established the S. Rajaratnam Professorship in Strategic Studies (named after Singapore’s first Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
), to bring distinguished scholars to participate in the work of the Institute. Previous holders of the Chair include Professors Stephen Walt
Stephen Walt
Stephen Martin Walt is a professor of international affairs at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Among his most prominent works are and . He coauthored The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy with John Mearsheimer.-Education and career:In 1983, he received a Ph.D. in...
(Harvard University), Jack Snyder (Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
), Wang Jisi
Wang Jisi
Prof. Wang Jisi is Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University. In the 2010-11 academic year he is a visiting scholar at Princeton University.Wang also serves on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit Teach For China....
(Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences , established in 1977, is the premier and highest academic research organization in the fields of philosophy and social sciences as well as a national center for comprehensive studies in the People's Republic of China. It was described by Foreign Policy...
), Alastair Iain Johnston (Harvard University) and John Mearsheimer
John Mearsheimer
John J. Mearsheimer is an American professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago. He is an international relations theorist. Known for his book on offensive realism, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, more recently Mearsheimer has attracted attention for co-authoring and publishing...
(University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
). A Visiting Research Fellow Programme also enables overseas scholars to carry out related research in the School.
Teaching
RSIS Master of Science programme offers advanced education to professionals from both the private and public sectors in Singapore and overseas in four specializations: the Master of Science in Strategic StudiesStrategic studies
Strategic studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning the relationship between politics, geography and natural resources, economics, and military power, such as the role of intelligence, diplomacy and threats in the preparation and use of force...
, the Master of Science in International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
,the Master of Science in International Political Economy
International political economy
International political economy , also known as global political economy, is an academic discipline within the social sciences that analyzes international relations in combination with political economy. As an interdisciplinary field it draws on many distinct academic schools, most notably ...
and the Master of Science in Asian Studies
Asian studies
Asian studies, a term used usually in the United States for Oriental studies and is concerned with the Asian peoples, their cultures, languages, history and politics...
. The school also offers double-degree programmes in collaboration with the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
and the Nanyang Business School at NTU
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
.
The RSIS Doctoral programme was established in 2006 and awards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
for research in the areas of study of the institute.
In addition to these graduate programmes, the School also teaches modules in courses conducted by the SAFTI Military Institute
SAFTI Military Institute
The SAFTI Military Institute is a tri-service military training institution for officers of all ranks of the Singapore Armed Forces . Located within an 88 hectare campus in Jurong West, it was officially opened by the then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong on 25 August 1995...
, SAF Warrant Officer School
SAF Warrant Officer School
SAF Warrant Officer School is a training school within the Pasir Laba Camp complex. In the new scheme, Third Warrant Officers of all services aspiring to promote to higher ranks in the Warrant Officer Corp are trained here...
, Civil Defence Academy, and the Defence
Ministry of Defence (Singapore)
The Ministry of Defence is a ministry of the Government of Singapore entrusted with overseeing the national defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. It is the headquarters of the Singapore Armed Forces...
and Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore)
The Ministry of Home Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for public safety, civil defence and immigration. It is also known as the Home Team. It is headed by the Minister for 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, Colloquium on Strategic Trends in the 21st Century, the annual Asia Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO), the Asia Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO), the biennial Asia Pacific Security Conference and the Singapore Global Dialogue.RSIS staff participate in Track II
Track II diplomacy
Track II diplomacy is a specific kind of informal diplomacy, in which non-officials engage in dialogue, with the aim of conflict resolution, or confidence-building...
security dialogues and scholarly conferences in the Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
. The School has participated in research projects funded by the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
, 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 (CSCAP), Singapore.