London: Oxford University s close engagement with India is set to move a notch higher with the commencement of the first batch on the new MSc in Contemporary India from October six.

The ancient seat of learning has introduced the nine-month degree in the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies to cater to growing interest among students about India and its burgeoning economy.

The batch comprises 18 students from the United States, UK, Canada and India, including a management consultant from Mumbai.

"The degree will give the students the opportunity to study India, and also to study how we know about India," Professor of Development Studies, Barbara Harris-White, told PTI.

"There are six aspects: international relations and regional politics, national politics, culture, human development, political economy and environment. They will also be given a grounding in research methods in the main social science disciplines," she said.

Several Indians, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have studied at Oxford, where academics have researched and taught subjects related to India for several decades.

The MSc course provides stand-alone training for those wishing to specialise in India, either out of academic interest or as preparation for work in the private sector, international organisations, government, NGOs, multi-lateral and bi-lateral aid and development agencies and media organisations.
Source : PTI