| Alumni |
| Downloads |
 |
| Registered Users Sign In |
HISTORY OF SAIACS
The South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies began in the conviction that an evangelical and reputable centre of higher theological learning in Indian was urgently needed to equip the Church to meet the challenges of the twenty-first Century.
Two missionaries, Dr. Bruce Nichols and Dr. Graham Houghton, on holiday
in Kodaikanal in the summer of 1981, were sharing their dreams
over afternoon tea. Though they did not fully
realise
it, this was when SAIACS commenced.
A meeting of kindred spirits in Chennai agreed that the recently organised Association for Evangelical Theological Education in India (AETEI) would offer an MTh in Missiology. Dr. Graham Houghton was appointed Dean and asked to organise the two-year course. Sixty inquiries were processed for the first programme; classes were held at Madras Bible Seminary with Dr. Donald McGavaran and Dr. J.O. Sanders as notable lecturers. The response of church leaders and prospective students was enthusiastic.
In 1984 the programme was de-linked from AETEI to become SAIACS, and moved to Bangalore with Graham Houghton as the Principal.
For five years, houses were rented in Koramangala, on the southern side of the city. Trustees and friends of SAIACS encouraged the purchase of land for a residential campus. After two years, six acres of suitable land was located in Kothanur, 13 km north-east from the city centre.
Construction
began in 1988. The first buildings were completed in 1989
and SAIACS moved onto the incomplete campus. The main campus buildings
were completed in late 1994. In 1997 an additional 4.5 acres of land
was purchased and in May 1998 construction began on sixteen family apartments
and faculty housing.
An important development was the recognition of SAIACS by the University of Mysore as a PhD level Research Institute.
In
August 2005 SAIACS dedicated its largest building project, the CEO
Centre, aimed to minister to the needs to those who want to continue
further studies as well as to corporates who intend to use centre facilities
for conference. The hope is that this building will help serve the kingdom
of God and even help SAIACS gain further financial independence.
Following founding Principal Dr Graham Houghton's 20 years, Dr Ashish Chrispal and Dr F Hrangkhuma served consecutively as Principal. Dr Ian Payne took up his duties as Principal in March, 2008.
SAIACS has grown from its first class of twelve students to about a hundred residential students today. The whole community, faculty, staff and service staff number close to two hundred. SAIACS continues to develop to serve the mission of God in South Asia as a place that facilitates the best in evangelical scholarship.
| About SAIACS |
| History of SAIACS |
| Board of Trustees |
| Accreditation |
| Campus & Facilities |
|
