Defence & Strategic Studies (DSS) Department

DeFence & Strategic Studies (DSS) is a Department in the Quaid-I-Azam University; Islamabad. It is the only civil-military educational institute in Pakistan which deals with the study of defence and strategy.

History

The department was founded in 1980 by the eminent scholar Dr Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, former Chairperson of Department Of International Relations (IR), QAU, and President of Islamabad Peace Research Institute. Because of Dr Cheema's previous close association with the IR department the department of DSS is considered as extension and brain child of IR department. However, since its inception the two departments have been rivals. By mid of year 2000 DSS took over & exceeded the reputation of QUA's IR department in Pakistan. Today its former students are employee in various powerful & influential organizations in Pakistan.

Chairpersons

Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema (1980)

Brig. Basit (1981)

Brig. SK Malik (1984)

Dr. Shirin S Mazari (August, 1988)

Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema (1994)

Dr. Rifaat Hussain (2000)

Mr. Rasheed Khalid (Caretaker/In charge-chairperson; April 2002 to August 2003)

Dr. Rifaat Hussain (September 2003 to February 2004)

Mr. Rasheed Khalid (Caretaker/Incharge-chairperson; August 2003 to October 2005)

Dr. Zafar Iqbal (2005-2008). [He is also Dean of Social Sciences took over as Chairperson of the Department.]

Dr. Rifaat Hussain (Dec 1st, 2008).

Programs

The Department offers M.Sc, MPhil & PH.d degrees to both Civilians & Military personnel. M.Phil programs started in 1998-1999 and PhD programme was first advertised for HEC-qualified candidates as well as general public in December 2004. The Department now offers admission in M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D programmes twice a year on the basis of semester system.

MSc & MPhil are based on 2 years program (4 semesters).

The academic training imparted by the Department's degree program is geared towards the development of requisite academic knowledge, analytical ability for evaluation of national, regional and international strategic environment and policies.

Civil-military institute

The Pakistan armed forces form a very small but significant representation in as well as for the department. Not only do professional soldiers join as students but also as teacher. The presence of armed forces personnel provides better understanding of military affairs to the civilian students while the civilian presence redirects minds of military personnel to civil & political affairs. The Department Faculty, in addition to its regular teaching, contributes research articles to various professional journals and delivers lectures at the National Defense University, Foreign Services Academy, Joint Services Staff College Islamabad and Staff College Quetta.

Faculty

Some of the faculty members include:

1. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema Professor Ph.D. (War Studies) War College, London (U.K); M.Sc (I.R.) QAU
2. Mr. Rasheed Khalid Assistant Professor M.Phil (U.S. Studies) QAU; M.Sc. (I.R.) QAU
3. Mr. Jamil Raza Assistant Professor M.Phil (U.S. Studies) QAU; M.Sc. (DSS) QAU
4. Mr. Nazir Hussain Assistant Professor M.Sc. (DSS) QAU
5. Mr. M. Nasrullah Mirza Lecturer M.Phil (I.R.) QAU; M.Sc. (DSS) QAU
6. Ms. Shabana Fayyaz Lecturer M.A., Birmingham, UK; M.Sc. (I.R.) QAU
7. Ms. Salma Malik Lecturer M.Phil (DSS), QAU; M.Sc. (DSS) QAU

In addition various scholars, former students, research fellows from prominent research organizations & military personnel teach as visiting faculty.

Courses offered

• Core Courses (Not the complete list):

War

Evolution of Strategic Thought

International Politics Since 1945

National Power & Threat Perception

Research Methodology

Dimensions of Modern Strategy

Dynamics of Pakistan's Foreign & Defence Policy

Economics of Defence

Nuclear Proliferation

Arms Control & Disarmament

Use of Force & International Law

Conflict Analysis & Conflict Resolution

[...]

Peace Studies

Military Geography

Guerilla Warfare

Crisis Management

• Regional Study Courses (Not the complete list):

Strategic Dynamics of South Asia

Regional & Extra Regional Powers in Central Asia

Internal Dynamics of Central Asia

Strategic Dynamics of West Asia

Making of Arab & Israeli Defence Policies

The Making of Indian Defense & Foreign Policies

• Special Offered Subjects (offered occasionally):

Media, Information Technology & Security Policy

War & Strategy in Islam

Military Intelligence/Counter Intelligence

Revolutionary Warfare

Warfare on Land, Sea and Air

Technology and Warfare

• Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Defense and Strategic Studies.:

Seminar involves study methods and students selecting a subject of their own choice and presenting a thesis and presentation on it at the end of their degree program.

Seminars

The department arranges two forms of seminars. One is by guest scholars, experts, military personnel & other professionals on weekly basis, while the other is conducted by students of MSc program at the end of their final semesters where each student has to submit his/her thesis paper & give presentations.

Some of the seminars made by scholars, experts, military personnel & other professionals include (1999-2000 list):

1. "Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities" by Ms. Amra Saeed, Senior Research Analyst, Institute of Regional Studies on September 30, 1999.
2. "China in South Asian Security" by Dr. Maqsood ul Hasan Nuri, Senior Research Analyst, Institute of Regional Studies on October 21, 1999.
3. "Indian Elections 1999: Implications and Prospects" by Prof. Khalid Mehmood on October 28, 1999.
4. "Europe in an Emerging World Order" by Prof. Francisco Leita, Faculty of Law, University of Bologna, Italy on December 17, 1999.
5. "Changing American Interests in South Asia" by Prof. Rodney Jones on February 26, 2000.
6. "Nuclear Command and Control: Lesson from Cold War" by Dr. Shaun Gregory on February 29, 2000.
7. "Biological and Psychological Theories of War" by Dr. Tariq Rehman, Associate Professor, National Institute of Pakistan Studies on May 3, 2000.
8. "Soviet Military Intervention in Afghanistan Revisited" by Afrasiab Khattak, Chairman, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on May 11, 2000.
9. "Democracy?" by Robert D. Kaplan, Contributing Editor, THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, on May 13, 2000.
10. "Pak-US Relations" by Mr. Zamir Akram, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan, Washington DC on May 25, 2000.

The Department organized an International Conference on "Peace and Security in South Asia After India Pakistan Nuclear Tests" in collaboration with Hains Siedel Stiftung (Germany) December 03-05, 1998

Study trips

Apart from regular teachings & seminars the department also takes its students to study trips to various military facilities & related areas. Some of the trips include visits to Pakistan Navy's submarines, Heavy Industries Texila (HIT) where Pakistan produces its main battle tanks, to air force bases etc ...

In addition Students are encouraged to attend seminars in other departments of QAU, other universities & research institutes.