Department of Research (SATHRI)

1. 1. Doctoral Research Centres shall be individual theological institutions or well-structured joint programmes of institutions in a region recognized by the Committee for Research as competent to offer the D.Th. programme.
   2. If the latter, the staff belonging to the Centre shall reside sufficiently close together to be readily available for meetings with the candidates and participation in research seminars.
   3. Each recognized Centre shall have a minimum of two specialists in each branch in which the doctorate is offered and shall have at least one faculty member in another branch with competence to supervise doctoral candidates.
   4. The faculty member shall possess an earned research doctoral degree from a theological college/institution recognized by the Committee for Research, proven competence in teaching and a period of productive research subsequent to the earned doctorate as manifested in sufficient publications in journals of good repute.
   5. The Centre shall satisfy the Committee for Research that adequate time of such staff has been set apart for the D.Th. program, in addition to time required of them for other programs like B.D. and M.Th.
   6. Each Centre shall satisfy an evaluation team with the provision that adequate library resources are available at the Centre and/or in its vicinity.
   7. Each Centre shall satisfy an evaluation team, that adequate funds and other infrastructure, such as accommodation, congenial atmosphere for serious study etc. are available.
   8. Institutions of higher theological learning, with competent staff and resources may also be recognized by the Committee for Research as doctoral level research centres provided they:

• are officially related to the Church;
• are working with the nearest Post Graduate Theological College;
• work either under the already existing doctoral centre or under SATHRI;
• have an additional full-time staff with an earned doctorate degree in the discipline that is offered at the centre;
• demonstrate the need to have such a research centre in the region.

In any event such centres shall be recognized by the Committee for Research only when the existing doctoral centres are unable to offer doctoral programme in a given area of theological discipline.  Recognition to such centres will be granted, if they satisfy the Evaluation Commission sent by the Committee for Research.