New Delhi: South Asian University (SAU), an international university established by the eight member nations of SAARC, is pleased to announce that its newly introduced Executive PhD Programme—launched at the beginning of this year—has received an enthusiastic response. The first batch comprising 13 accomplished professionals will commence their research journey by the end of this year.
The Executive PhD Programme has been conceptualized to provide senior professionals, officers, and domain experts the opportunity to pursue advanced research and earn a PhD degree mid-career. It aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by facilitating research that combines theoretical insights with practical experience.
Designed to foster interdisciplinary and practice-based research, the programme invites professionals from diverse fields such as Mathematics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, International Relations, Sociology, Legal Studies, Media, Arts & Design, Climate Change, and Management.
The inaugural cohort represents a remarkable blend of experience and expertise, featuring participants from civil services, international agencies, diplomatic missions, media, academia, and the creative industries. Among them are senior public servants, high-ranking officials from the United Nations system, diplomatic professionals from SAARC member nations, distinguished editors from national media houses, and gold medallists in performing arts—reflecting the programme’s ability to attract outstanding professionals committed to advancing research and leadership in their respective fields.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, President, Prof. K K Aggarwal, said, “This programme reflects SAU’s commitment to integrating professional expertise with academic excellence. It provides a platform for experienced professionals to contribute to knowledge creation while enriching their organizations and sectors through research-driven insights.”
Executive PhD scholars will benefit from a flexible and enriching course structure that blends classroom and online learning, interactive assignments, and guided self-study – thoughtfully designed to balance their professional schedules and research goals. The programme has also been designed to attract mentors from both academia and the industry, enhancing cross-sector collaboration.
With its unique regional character and international academic ecosystem, South Asian University continues to emerge as a hub for advanced research and intellectual exchange in South Asia.
For more details, please visit www.sau.int
