Institute at a glance

South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) of North South University (NSU) is the only pioneering institute with a regional focus on policy and governance in Bangladesh. The institute started its journey in 2008 as a Public Policy and Governance Program (PPG) at North South University intending to cater to knowledge in the broader field of policy, governance, and public administration. In 2018, after a decade, the PPG program upgraded to a full-fledged institute as SIPG to facilitate the academic program and regional research on various issues related to policy regimes, governance challenges, and discourses in the context of South Asia. SIPG runs a two-year thesis-based International Master’s Degree Program known as the Master in Public Policy and Governance (MPPG). Till 2022, from 10 batches more than 170 students have graduated with MPPG degrees who are young civil servants and professionals from Bangladesh and other South Asian and South East Asian countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. In 2021 SIPG also commenced the one-year Executive Masters in Policy and Governance (EMPG) for professionals from Bangladesh. 

With economic growth averaging over 6 percent for the last two decades, South Asia has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic economies, yet its member states have failed to reap the full benefits due to the absence of a strong and dynamic institutional base, pragmatic policy prescriptions, perceptive plan, and appropriate institutional framework. The Institute initiates research, publications, policy briefs, training and research program with an aim to generate knowledge to strengthen and broaden the intellectual capacity of Bangladesh and regional countries at policy stage.

Vision:

To become a leading academic institution and a think tank on policy and governance studies in South Asia

Goals:
  • To develop professional leaders in policy and governance through education, training, and research
  • To generate and disseminate research and evidence-based knowledge on policy and governance issues across national, cross-national and regional levels
Missions:
  • Providing quality education by national/ regional/international faculty members and practitioners
  • Analyzing policy and governance issues and discourses (contemporary and historical) through Bangladeshi, South Asian, and international researchers, scholars, and experts
  • Developing network and partnership with national, regional and international institutions for knowledge generation, dissemination and capacity building
Centers:

The Center for Peace Studies (CPS): is an interdisciplinary center of South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), which aims to facilitate the academic study of peacebuilding and the promotion of a resilient society through evidence-based and empirical research at North South University (NSU). The Center aspires to be a hub of academic research and activity in the areas of conflict studies and peace promotion that will have national, regional and global implication. CPS is a platform for academics, researchers and practitioners from diverse academic backgrounds working together to create a peaceful world with a focus on sustainable and inclusive solutions for contemporary humanitarian crises.

Center for Migration Studies (CMS): On November 13, 2022, the North South University (NSU) founded the Center for Migration Studies (CMS), which serves as a knowledge mobilization and learning center for studying topics linked to migration themes. The Center's goal is to conduct research on issues involving migration, climate change, refugees, displacement, and government. The center also serves as a home for all students, academics and researchers from national and international universities, institutions and organizations who investigate migration in a variety of subjects. To be the foremost regional think tank on migration issues, bringing together academics, scholars, researchers, and practitioners to produce, learn and disseminate knowledge that is valuable and provide policy direction. The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) will be a source of knowledge on migration and a means of achieving human rights and justice for those who are moving in need.  

China-South Asia Center For Socio-Cultural Studies (CSCSS)
China-South Asia Center for Socio-Cultural Studies (CSCSS) aims to research, share knowledge, and advocate on various socio-cultural, geopolitical, and economic topics. Overall, the CSCSS will function as a China Studies Center in Bangladesh. The mission of CSCSS is to initiate cutting-edge research, partnership, training, and advocacy to create critical scholarship on various socio-cultural issues in China and South Asia. The vision of CSCSS is to become a recognized platform where academics, scholars, researchers, and practitioners join together to create socio-cultural impact and bridge between China and South Asia. CSCSS is administratively under the Department of Political Science and Sociology (PSS), North South University, but it has been functioning under the SIPG of NSU since January 2024.