Tata Institute of Social Sciences: An Introduction
“TISS is a pioneering institution in India. It is also an
institution conceived with the highest principles of modern education
in mind – to pursue excellence in teaching and training and, at the
same time, to make your students concerned and responsible citizens of
society.”
- Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, speaking at TISS Convocation ’06
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) was established in 1936, as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work. The first school of social work in India, the TISS was a pioneering effort, characteristic of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). Its establishment was the result of the decision of the Trustees of the SDTT to accept Dr. Clifford Manshardt’s vision of a post-graduate school of social work of national stature that would engage in a continuous study of Indian social issues and problems and impart education in social work to meet the emerging need for trained human power. This subsequently influenced the direction of social work education and social research in India. In 1944, the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work was renamed as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The year 1964 was an important landmark in the history of the Institute, when it was recognised as a Deemed University by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. Since then, the TISS has been expanding continuously in terms of educational programmes and infrastructure. While responding to the changing needs of the social and educational system in the country, the Institute has gone far beyond the initial concern of social work education. Thus, what started as a small institution offering a post-graduate diploma in Social Work, grew into a Deemed University and, as a result, diversified its activities. Since its inception in 1936, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences has never limited itself to the mandate of a conventional university; rather, it has worked for the promotion of sustainable, equitable and participatory development, social welfare and social justice through:
Over the years, the Institute has, among other thrusts, made a significant contribution to policy, planning, action strategies and human resource development, in several areas, ranging from sustainable rural and urban development to education, health, communal harmony, human rights and industrial relations. In all cases, the focus has been on the disadvantaged and marginalised sections of society, such as organised and unorganised labour, women, children, Dalits, and tribals. Today, the TISS has earned recognition as an institution of repute from different Ministries of the Government of India, various State Governments, international agencies such as the United Nations, and the non-government sector, both national and international. This is due to the academic freedom leading to a positive work ethos and creativity in the Institute, strong linkages among education, research, field action and dissemination and the social commitment and responsiveness to varying social needs. In recognition of its social contribution and academic excellence, it was awarded a 5-Star rating by NAAC in 2002. During its seven decades of existence, the TISS has carved out a niche for itself in the field of human service professional education and applied social science research. It has simultaneously influenced social policy and social work practice through pioneering innovations and interdisciplinary / inter-professional interactions. It has proven itself to be a centre of excellence, contributing relevant education and research, towards the national agenda of sustainable, pcarticipatory and equitable development.
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Academic Structure The TISS moved to a new academic structure in February 2006. It currently hosts 5 schools, 4 independent centres, and 3 resource centres as indicated below:
Schools
Independent Centres
Resource Centres
Research
Currently the institute is undertaking key research initiatives. The TISS has been nominated as the principle recipient for The Global Funds to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria (GFATM) Round-7 grant on the HIV/AIDS counselling sub-component. In recent years it has also examined issues such as Farmers Suicides in Maharashtra; Social Impact Assessment of Maha Mumbai SEZ; Crime, City and Space: A Case of Mumbai Megapolis; Assessment of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Maharashtra; Application of Social Accountabilty tools in Maharashtra; Developing Protocols for Mumbai Disaster Management among others. Read further. Extension and Field Action As a part of its extension activities, the TISS has been undertaking innovative field action projects (FAPs) since the 1930s. These FAPs focus on the empowerment of marginalised groups, testing new approaches and strategies in response to changing social realities, facilitating development of field-based knowledge and practice–theory continuum, among others. They have always played an integral role in the curriculum of social work education. Many important institutional innovations — such as Child Guidance Clinics, social workers/counsellors in Hospitals and Family Courts, Special Cells for Violence against Women in Police Stations, Childline — began as FAPs of TISS and were later absorbed into public institutional structures. Read further. |
