The Institute of Integrated Himalayan Studies (IIHS)

Nestling in the lap of magnificent Himalaya, in the north-west India, the Himachal Pradesh University established in Summer Hill in Shimla in July 1970, through an act of state legislature, is one of the leading affiliating-cum-residential Universities in India. It has a beautiful and sprawling campus spread over 200 mountains and a lush of rhododendron, silver oak, pine and deodar trees. Its salubrious climate and congenial atmosphere is ideally suited for higher studies and research. The Institute of Integrated Himalayan Studies (UGC Centre of Excellence) has been set up by Himachal Pradesh University vide notification no. 9-42/2002-HPU (Genl.) dated 1.4.2002 and hence came into existence with effect from 1st April 2 002. As per UGC directives, the institute has academic, administrative and financial autonomy for achieving "Excellence Plus".

Himalayan region is rich in both natural resources and cultural heritage. The present venture is to try and bring the hidden treasures into limelight. The mission of the institute is to create an integrated knowledge base and evolve strategies for the development of the Himalayan region and its people through research, academic courses of practical utility and service. The institute has since its inception been moving steadily towards the fulfillment of its mandate. Its significance lies in influencing development decisions and actions by compiling and providing concepts, strategies, solutions and lessons from past experiences. The institute will make available perennial flow of information for the development planners. It will generate and synthesize the knowledge required to utilize the resources in the Himachal Himalayas more effectively and to deal with the problems of the region. The institute visualizes an important role for itself in bringing into focus the hitherto scattered areas relating to men, women and resources in the Himachal Himalayas.

The mission of the Institute is:

"to create an integrated knowledge base and evolve strategies for the development of Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh in particular and its people through research, academic courses and service with a global perspective."

The Institute's Vision is to:

1. Act as a nucleus of academic and research activities in Himachal Pradesh University and region by way of creating an enabling environment for sharing resources and skills.
2. Build an integrated knowledge base of socio-cultural, economic, political, physical and biological resources.
3. Bring about research leading to the formulation and implementation of suitable policy for inclusive development.
4. Conduct academic courses including short-term certificate and diploma programmes and long-term program leading to Ph. D in inter-disciplinary fields. ü Help Himalayan people to improve their quality of life through gaining information on new discoveries, initiation into new technology and imparting of employable skills.
5. Cater to the informational needs of stakeholders by developing state -of -the-art library and documentation center, information exchange system, archives and museum and a series of publications on themes relevant to sustainable development.
6. Collaborate with related institutions in its endeavor to realize its mission.
7. Organize national, regional and international seminars, workshops, training programmes, conferences in the thematic areas identified by the Institute from time to time.
8. Perform such other related activities as may be appropriate in the accomplishment of its mission.