South Asia Theological Research Institute Explained

South Asia Theological Research Institute
Native Name:	SATHRI
Type:	Centre for advanced theological research
Dean:	Dr. Aswathy John (Serampore)
City:	Serampore
State:	West Bengal
Country:	India
Affiliations:	Senate of Serampore College (University)
Website:	http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wings-of-senate/sathri/

South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATHRI) was established by the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC)^[1] in the year 1989.^[2] It is located at Mack House Complex in Serampore.

It offers doctoral programmes in theology.^[3]

Background

In the eighties, the BTESSC and the Senate of Serampore College (University) saw the urgency to establish initially one advanced research centre in the country to:

• develop,
• coordinate, and
• facilitate

research at doctoral and non-degree levels emphasizing its indigenous and contextual character.^[4] Intense planning and negotiation led to the establishment of SATHRI in 1989 in Bangalore as the research wing of the BTESSC to deal with the promotion of contextualized research, both at the degree and the non-degree levels.^[5]

It was meant to strengthen centres for research and to promote basic tools for theological education, to involve in publication of research work and to arrange for programmes that would strengthen the relationship between the theological institutions for the purpose of research.

Validation

• The Senate of Serampore College (University) was one of the first institutions in India to be given the status of a university in 1829.^[6]
• The Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC) established in 1975 is the theological arm under the Senate.^[7]
• SATHRI is the research wing under BTESSC^[4] established in 1989.

Courses offered

Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) in the fields of:

• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Theology and Ethics
• Women's Studies
• Dalit Theology
• Communication

Administration

A Dean oversees the programmes of SATHRI under the supervision of a Committee on Research of the Senate of Serampore College (University).

Journal

The SATHRI Journal is an occasional bulletin published by SATHRI.^[14]

References

Notes

Further reading

• The Council of Serampore College . The Story of Serampore and its College . 2005 . Fourth Edition . Council of Serampore College.
• Prabhakar, Samson, and Joseph, M.J. (Eds.) . Church's Participation in Theological Education . 2003 . BTESSC/SATHRI.

Notes and References

1. Wati Longchar, "Challenges for Ecumenical Theological Education : Towards a common strategy and mechanism", http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/education/mf101.pdf Jorhat, 2002, p.2
2. Dr. K.C. Abraham http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/cd38-11.html Farewell to Rev. Samartha
3. Word Press http://academianayk.wordpress.com/2006/05/20/ Tyrst with the Academia
4. The Story of Serampore and its CollegeWeb site: Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles . 2006-03-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 . 2003-10-22 . pp.116-117
5. Ibid.
6. Government of India Web site: Department of Secondary&Higher Education . 2013-03-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120223010953/http://education.nic.in/unhighedu.asp . 2012-02-23 . Ministry of Human Resource Development
7. The Story of Serampore and its CollegeWeb site: Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles . 2006-03-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20031022220514/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=133 . 2003-10-22 . pp.112-114
8. John C. England (Edited), Asian Christian Theologies: Asia region, 7th-20th centuries ; South Asia ; Austral Asia, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002, pp.300-301. https://books.google.com/books?id=IckRAQAAIAAJ&q=abraham
9. Philip Mathew, Indian Church mourns death of noted Asian theologian, 14 June 2016. http://mattersindia.com/2016/06/indian-church-mourns-death-of-noted-asian-theologian/
10. Minutes of the 35th Meeting of the Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College held on 3rd and 4th February 2010 at the United Theological College, Bengaluru, Karnataka. - Report of the Director In-Charge, Research and SATHRI, p.6.http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/1-20.pdf
11. Geoffrey Wainwright, Karen B. Westerfield Tucker (Edited), The Oxford History of Christian Worship, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2006, p.xv. https://books.google.com/books?id=h5VQUdZhx1gC&dq=samson+prabhakar&pg=PR15
12. [Senate of Serampore College (University)]
13. Senate of Serampore College (University), Minutes of the Executive Committee, 5 November 2010, Kolkata, 2010, p.88. http://senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/87-117.pdf
14. World Cathttp://www.worldcatlibraries.org/wcpa/ow/c0c8ef8a8b81fafba19afeb4da09e526.html SATHRI Journal