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Nehginpao Kipgen Center for Southeast Asian Studies (NKCSEAS)

Introduction

This Center for Southeast Asian Studies is named after an eminent scholar of Southeast Asian Studies, Professor Nehginpao Kipgen. Prof Kipgen was the founder of this Center in 2016, with the vision of making Southeast Asia a cornerstone of teaching and research at the Jindal School of International Affairs and beyond. The Center is carrying on Prof Kipgen’s legacy after his untimely demise in 2021 under a young and committed team who are committed to contribute towards South East Asian Studies.

Southeast Asia, a sub-region of Asia, consists of countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. These countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Timor Leste (East Timor), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

These countries share historical, political, economic, cultural and social ties, and all but Timor Leste (East Timor) are members of the regional bloc called the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This regional bloc has undertaken several initiatives to integrate its members, including developing a single market that would ensure the free flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labor, and the free flow of capital. The region is far from being homogeneous and encompasses different political institutions, diverse economic structures, and a variety of languages and cultures, including ethnicities and religions. Due to its geopolitics, geostrategic location and fast-growing economy, the region has generated considerable interest from its neighboring countries in Asia and beyond Asia, including countries in the Western world.

Vision

The center envisions itself to be a dedicated central hub of Southeast Asian studies in India and the wider South Asian region, and a thought leader and opinion shaper in South Asia-Southeast Asia relations.

Mission

The centre intends to bridge and interconnect Southeast Asia with the rest of the world through teaching, research, publication, partnerships, collaborations, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Aims and Objectives
The Center seeks to:

  • Comprehend the overarching history and politics of Southeast Asia and its significance to the world
  • Underscore the importance of comparative politics in, and international relations of, Southeast Asia
  • Analyze ASEAN's history, accomplishments and challenges in regional and international affairs
  • Study the economics of countries in Southeast Asia and the attendant regional economic integration
  • Survey and explore the rich cultural diversity and heterogeneous societies of Southeast Asia
  • Delve into the various aspects of traditional and non-traditional security in Southeast Asia
  • Examine the legal factors concerning multilateral agreements vis-a-vis ASEAN and Southeast Asia
  • Assess the role of great powers and the management of its contestation in Southeast Asia
  • Appraise India's engagement of Southeast Asia and its dialogue partnership of ASEAN
  • Enrich the understanding of the Indo-Pacific narrative in Southeast Asian affairs

Activities

The center engages in research, carries out teaching, puts out publications, conducts media interviews, organizes talks, and convenes panel discussions. The center also seeks to establish partnerships with other Southeast Asian Researchers, universities in Southeast Asia to collaborate with them in research projects, organizing seminars, conferences and webinars, and people-to-people exchanges. The center also offers courses on Southeast Asia to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Founder

Prof. (Dr.) Nehginpao Kipgen (25.5.1978­–2.5.2021) was a Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P.Jindal Global University. He was a renowned Political Scientist and thinker whose concentrations were in Comparative Politics and International Relations. His general teaching and research interests included Democratization, Global/World Politics, Ethnic Conflict and Identity Politics, Human Rights, Refugees, Maritime Disputes, International Organizations, and Government and Politics of Southeast Asia.

His scholarly work was focussed on Asia, with a specialization in Southeast Asia and Burma/Myanmar. He had presented papers and served as a chair and discussant in several international academic conferences, including International Political Science Association (IPSA) and International Studies Association (ISA). He was also a Board Member (RC18 – Asian and Pacific Studies) of IPSA.

Reports and Publications

Electoral Agendas and Political Shifts: Indonesian Elections 2024
by Anisha

Buddhist Extremism in Myanmar
by Anoushka Kashyap

How Vietnam established itself as one of Asia's top economies?
by Eljoezer Sun

Tiny Yet Mighty: Unravelling Singapore's Diplomatic Mastery on the Global Stage
by Anu Chauhan

Indonesia and the South China Sea Disputes
by Pratikk Roy

Voices of the Nation: Indonesia Prepares for the 2024 Election
by Shivangi Dikshit

Takeaways from Indonesia Elections 2024
by Shagun Thapliyal

Navigating Tides: A Comprehensive Analysis of Brunei's Role in the South China Sea and Southeast Asian Geopolitics
By Azeem Mehndiratta

BEYOND SEA AND LAND: TIMOR LESTE'S REGIONAL DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS
by Kripa Dev

Philippines, Japan and the USA: A New Triangle in the works
By Shagun Thapliyal

Dialogue Session

FLASHPOINT : GLIMPSES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Student Prizes

The following student prizes will be awarded on an annual basis:

The Nehginpao Kipgen Memorial PhD Dissertation Prize

This prize is awarded to the author of an outstanding doctoral dissertation in Southeast Asian studies, particularly in the area of comparative politics and international relations. Named in memory of a doyen of Southeast Asian Studies, this prize comes with a cash award and an official certificate.

The Mustafa Izzuddin Outstanding International Affairs Graduate Prize

This prize is awarded to an exceptional graduate of the Jindal School of International Affairs who had excelled in a course on Southeast Asia, and has embraced global citizenship regardless of nationality. Donated by the center’s executive director, this prize comes with a cash award and an official certificate.

The Nehginpao Kipgen Center for Southeast Asian Studies Prize

This prize is awarded to the top student of the course on 'Government, Politics and Foreign Policy of Southeast Asia’ at Jindal School of International Affairs. This prize comes with a certificate of achievement.

Friends of NKCSEAS

We would like to thank the following organizations or institutions which have supported or partnered us over the years. Without them, which we consider as our friends, NKCSEAS would not have made progress as an aspiring hub of Southeast Asian Studies in bringing South Asia and Southeast Asia closer together.

Organizational Structure

NKCSEAS is headed by an Executive Director, who leads a team of senior and junior researchers and editors. While the editors focus on publications, the researchers oversee clusters, namely Politics & Security, Indo-Pacific Studies, ASEAN Regionalism, Non-Traditional Security, Economics, and Culture & Society.

Activity

The center engages in a range of activities, such as research, publication, organizing talks and panel discussions. The center aims to establish relationship with other Southeast Asian centers around the world and collaborate with them in research projects, organizing seminars and conferences. The center also offers courses on ‘Government and Politics of Southeast Asia’, ‘Foreign Policies of Southeast Asian Countries’, and ‘International Relations of Southeast Asia’ to undergraduate and graduate students.

Commentary
  • Quad’s vaccine initiative can be of benefit to Asean
  • Biden’s Asia policy and the Iranian conundrum
  • Why a military coup cannot be the solution in Myanmar
  • Trump’s legacy in Southeast Asia
  • US must respond to RCEP trade deal
  • US-China tech war is headed for digital decoupling
  • Why it’s imperative that India and Taiwan build deeper diplomatic ties
  • Southeast Asia is now dominant in the illegal drugs trade
  • Malaysia’s changing policy on Rohingya refugees
  • India should rethink its policy in the emerging cold war with China
  • Paper Review: COVID-19 Pandemic and Racism in the United States and India
  • China’s BRI strategy and Laos
  • ASEAN needs to come together over Covid-19 pandemic
  • What lockdown means for India and humanity
  • China asserts presence in South China Sea amid COVID-19 pandemic
  • Taiwan shouldn’t be kept out of Covid-19 loop
  • The Indo-Pacific needs an infrastructural alliance
  • The Chahsat mayhem
  • Indonesia’s dilemma over repatriation of its IS fighters
  • Asia’s maritime trade torpedoed
  • Tapping into Soft Power Diplomacy in a World of Increased Regionalism: India, Southeast Asia, and the Missing Odisha Link
  • The Emerging Influence of Huawei and China’s Digital Silk Road
  • India must rethink its decision to opt out of RCEP
  • India Made a Bold Move on Kashmir
  • Who wins the ICC-Duterte tussle?
  • What future holds for ASEAN?
  • India needs new strategy in the Indo-Pacific region
  • India can do more with its Buddhist inheritance
  • The need for strengthening ASEAN-Australia relationship
Newsletter
Team
Name Description
Prof. (Dr) Pankaj Jha
Director
Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Jha is Professor & Dean (Research) at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA). Dr. Pankaj Jha was Director (Research) with Indian Council of World Affairs for more than two and half years. He had worked as Deputy Director with National Security Council Secretariat (2012-2013)
Prof. Gitanjali Sinha Roy Gitanjali Sinha Roy is an Assistant Professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs(JSIA).Previously, she worked with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, India as a research assistant. She was a visiting Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Fellow at the University of Tokyo.Gitanjali Sinha Roy was a Research Assistant at the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi, India. She was also a Research Associate at the Centre for Strategy and Security Studies (CESCUBE)
Shivangi Dixit
Centre Coordinator
Shivangi Dikshit is a dynamic professional with a deep commitment to international affairs and non-traditional security. She holds a multidisciplinary educational background and has showcased her research prowess through various roles. Previously she worked as a Research Assistant, at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, where she contributed to the Border History. She was also involved in the Graduating Research Immersion Program at O.P. Jindal Global University. She is also a mentor at Metvy (Research Cohort).
Shagun Thapliyal
Centre Coordinator
Shagun Thapliyal is a Final Year Masters of Diplomacy, Law and Business Student at JSIA and holds a Bachelors’ Degree in History from University of Delhi. She was a research intern at Centre for Public Policy and Governance in New Delhi.

Join Our Team We have a rolling application for internships and fellowships without remuneration. If you are keen to be a part of the center, even if you are not physically present, please drop us an email at cseas@jgu.edu.in. Join Our Mailing List It would be our pleasure to add you to our mailing list. If you are amenable for us to put you on our mailing list, please drop us an email at cseas@jgu.edu.in with your name, organization (or as an individual) and preferred email address for this mailing list. You are welcome to unsubscribe at any time. Partner with Us We are open for collaboration and forging partnerships to promulgate Southeast Asian studies globally, including in India and South Asia. Please contact the center’s Executive Director, Dr Mustafa Izzuddin at mizzuddin@jgu.edu.in or Harsh Mahaseth, Assistant Director at hmahaseth@jgu.edu.in.

Contact Us

Nehginpao Kipgen Center for Southeast Asian Studies (NKCSEAS)
Jindal School of International Affairs
O.P. Jindal Global University
Sonipat 131001, Haryana,India

E-mail:cseas@jgu.edu.in
Website:http://jsia.edu.in/center-southeast-asian-studies-cseas
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/center-for- southeast-asian-studies-opjgu-4445671b1
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CSEASJGU/
Twitter: @cseas_jgu
Instagram: cseas_jgu

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