Research under BTESSC/SATHRI
With the amalgamation of the Board of Theological Education (BTE), a wing of NCCI, with Senate of Serampore college to form the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC) in 1975 with the approval and support of the Council of Serampore College, a new Chapter for research commenced. BTESSC established Indian Theological Research Institute (ITRI) to strengthen doctoral and non-degree research but it could not receive the impetus it deserved. In the eighties the Board and the Senate saw the urgency to establish initially one advanced research centre in the country to develop, co-ordinate and facilitate research at doctoral and non-degree levels emphasising its indigenous and contextual character. A national consultation with the participation of several related Mission Boards from abroad was held in 1987. Intense planning and negotiations thus led to the establishment of the South Asia Theological Research Institute in 1989 at Bangalore. The Research wing of the BTESSC to dealt with promotion of contextualized theological research both at the degree and non-degree levels, faculty development, strengthening centres for research, production of basic tools for theological education and publishing research works. The Research wing of BTESSC has been engaged in promoting the doctoral level study and research for more than three decades with three-fold function:
- It co-ordinated and guides formal research at the doctoral level under the guidance of the Committee for Research and with the co-operation of doctoral centers.
- It organised programmes that are aimed at strengthening the relationship between theological education and the churches, strengthening inter-disciplinary research and answerability to burning problems of church and society.
- It facilitated non – formal researches through consultations, seminars, conferences, symposia and colloquiums and research projects.
As such, it operated as the Research Centre of the BTESSC. As an enabling institute, it facilitated eunemical links with overseas partners and promotes ecumenical theological education through its academic theological education through its academic programmes. Further, by having resource persons drawn from Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Institutions as well as secular universities, it facilitated Research Programmes in the areas other than what the doctoral centers can offer – such as Social Analysis, Christian Liturgy, Christian Education, Homiletics, Women Studies etc.