Mumbai, April 14th 2025: The Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies at Somaiya Vidyavihar University today announced a landmark expansion of its academic and research initiatives, with the launch of its peer-reviewed journal Transarea, the announcement of research projects by four of its research centres, and the introduction of two new degree programmes—BA in Liberal Arts and MA in Liberal Arts.
The research centres—Centre for Kachchh & Desert Studies, Centre for Himalayan & Mountain Studies, Centre for Asian & Area Studies, and Centre for Indian Ocean & Transoceanic Studies, have announced a series of research projects focusing on themes such as educational dynamics in Kachchh, maritime shipbuilding, seafaring knowledge and nautical science, as well as Asian history, culture, economy, polity, and philosophies. Together, these centres aim to shape conversations around cultural continuity, transregional exchanges, and indigenous epistemologies.
The announcements were made at a special event held on the university campus, attended by Shri Samir Somaiya, Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University; Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor; Prof. Satish Modh, Pro- Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ganesh Devy, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences; and veteran journalist Mr. Kumar Ketkar, along with several scholars and members of the academic community.
Prof Ganesh Devy, Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, “What began as a simple idea has grown into the School of Civilization, an ambitious initiative bringing together passionate researchers from across disciplines and countries. With a shared vision and collaborative spirit, scholars from around the world are shaping a series on the rise and fall of civilizations, with global publishers involved and regional editions planned in multiple Indian languages.”
Reflecting on the origins of Somaiya Vidyavihar, Chancellor Shri Samir Somaiya shared, “Somebody once asked my grandfather, ‘Why build a College of Arts and Science on this barren land?’ That first building later became the K J Somaiya College of Arts and Science. But he simply said, ‘It’s VidyaVihar.’ He imagined more than just buildings, he imagined Socrates here. Because it was about civilizations, values, and giving back.” He added, “This is something we’re carrying forward together. It isn’t about any one person, it’s all of us. As trustees, our role is to enable and set guardrails to protect the institution as we move ahead.”
Published by the Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies, Transarea is a peer-reviewed journal offering scholarly engagement across history, international relations, political science, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, literature, and area studies. It reflects the School’s commitment to fostering intellectual crossovers across regions and disciplines.