The Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), a unique and one of the oldest social science research institutions in Tamil Nadu involved in research, teaching and training on development issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Founded in 1971 by the late Prof. Malcolm Adiseshiah, MIDS was reconstituted as a National Institute in 1978. Since then, it has been funded jointly by the Government of India (GOI) through the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Government of Tamil Nadu (GOTN).
Five decades of work would be a source of confidence and satisfaction for any institution which has sought to generate knowledge and contribute to the social and economic development of a state and nation through its research and academic output.
MIDS’ Vision is to build on its position as one of India’s leading centres of learning and research on social and economic development. The institute’s core objectives will remain unchanged: contributing to knowledge, sharing of knowledge and playing an active part in the task of ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
Objectives (Move to “About MIDS”)
- To undertake studies and research pertaining to development problems with special reference to the agro-rural aspects of Tamil Nadu, and the problems of the economically and socially backward sections of the population throughout the country.
- To conduct seminars and conferences on development problems and programmes of Tamil Nadu.
- To foster inter-university cooperation among social scientists of the universities of the four southern states.
- To promote interdisciplinary research and bring out publications relating to the above three functions.
Governing Body
With a Governing Council as its apex body, and an Academic Council, the Institute is structured in such a way as to ensure maximum autonomy to its functioning. The Governing Council consists of the Chairperson, the Institute's Director as member-secretary, representatives of MIDS faculty, ICSSR, Tamil Nadu Government, and from the Universities of the four Southern states, Trustees of the Institute, and co-opted social scientists, as members. It ordinarily meets once a year, while its Finance Committee and Executive Council meet twice a year.
Academic Council
The Academic Council consists of the Director as chairperson, and both external and internal members. All the professors of the Institute are its members; other faculty members and the Ph.D. scholars serve on it in rotation. Five reputed social scientists from other universities and institutes are members of the Academic Council. Each of them serve for three years. The Council meets twice a year to review, and provide guidelines on, the academic activities of the Institute.