New Delhi, May 18, 2026:
The two-week ICSSR-sponsored Capacity Building Programme on “Geopolitics in the 21st Century: Global Trends, Regional Dynamics, and Implications for India,” organised by the MMAJ Academy of International Studies concluded today at the MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia. Prof. Mujib Alam was the Course Director and Prof. Sujata Ashwarya the Co-Course Director.
The Valedictory Address was delivered by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director of the Vivekananda International Foundation and former Deputy National Security Advisor of India. Prof. Zubair Meenai, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, JMI, graced the session as the Chief Guest. Prof. Ajay Darshan Behera, Director, MMAJ-AIS, chaired the session.
Dr. Arvind Gupta, drawing on his rich experience in national security and strategic affairs, offered participants valuable insights into India’s geopolitical priorities and the imperatives of strategic thinking in a rapidly changing world order. Prof. Zubair Meenai, in his address, congratulated the participants and emphasised the importance of capacity building for early-career academics.
The programme, held from 4 to 16 May 2026, brought together thirty early-career faculty members from universities, colleges, and research institutes across India. Over twelve working days, participants attended thirty-six sessions delivered by more than twenty-five distinguished resource persons from leading institutions including JNU, AMU, Jadavpur University, MSU Baroda, BHU, Doon University, IIFT, South Asian University, MP-IDSA, Ambedkar University, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
The programme covered a wide range of themes including maritime geopolitics, geoeconomics, energy politics, counter-terrorism, nuclear geopolitics, cultural diplomacy, the geopolitics of West Asia, Africa, Europe, Eurasia, and the Americas, as well as India's strategic positioning in the contemporary global order. In line with ICSSR guidelines, the programme also featured dedicated sessions on research methodology, the use of quantitative data, academic writing, library and e-library resources, Indian Knowledge Systems, and decolonial frameworks in social science research.
The session concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants and a vote of thanks by Prof. Mujib Alam, Course Director.
