MoU with SAU is an Institutional misstep for RCSS
Disintegrating Regionalism: Some weeks ago, I saw grainy photographs circulating on social media of individuals from Colombo’s Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) and New Delhi’s South Asian University (SAU) holding up what appeared to be a document, with the caption that the two organisations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Ordinarily, it ought to […]
The MoU signed between the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) and the South Asian University (SAU) is seen as a misguided institutional step rather than a sign of intellectual synergy. This partnership arrives at a time when both institutions have experienced a decline from their former glories.
RCSS, once a premier think tank in Colombo that catalyzed Track II diplomacy and trained a generation of security analysts across South Asia, has now suffered from structural funding cuts, inability to attract young talent, and operate in a lower gear. Similarly, SAU, an institution founded with the goal of embodying a pluralistic, pan-regional ethos, has seen its vision and initial success stories dismantled due to internal controversies, erosion of academic freedom, and governance issues.
From the observer's perspective, the MoU between RCSS and SAU is primarily a reputation laundering exercise for SAU, as it attempts to project an illusion of regional connectivity and academic vitality. This is a stark contrast to the original intentions of fostering cross-border dialogue, trust, and shared intellectual rigor.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
