Role of SAFI Institute in Building a Research Ecosystem in Islamic Studies: An Analysis of Publications between 2021 and 2025

Nidha Fathima; Jouhara Thasneem NP; Shebeeb Khan P; Semiya PM; Hassan Shareef KP

doi:10.67245/nawasena.v1i2.46

Authors

Nidha Fathima SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous), Kerala
Jouhara Thasneem NP SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous), Kerala
Shebeeb Khan P SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous), Kerala
Semiya PM SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous), Kerala
Hassan Shareef KP SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous), Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67245/nawasena.v1i2.46

Keywords:

Research Ecosystem, Islamic Studies, Interdisciplinary Approaches, Postgraduate Student Involvement, Thematic Analysis

Abstract

This Study examines the role of the Post Graduate Department of Islamic Studies at the SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (SIAS), Vazhayur, Kerala, India, in fostering a research ecosystem through an analysis of over 120 publications produced between 2021 and 2025. Addressing the challenge of cultivating a research culture in underdeveloped regions, this study highlights how the Department integrates traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary interdisciplinary approaches across ten thematic areas, including COVID 19 impacts, education, gender, social issues, politics, economics, Malabar history, food culture, and religion. Employing qualitative analysis, the research categorizes publications by theme, emphasizing the active involvement of PG students and faculty members in research activities. The department’s curriculum, mentorship, financial incentives from the Institute, and collaborative networks contribute significantly to sustained scholarly productivity and academic growth. The findings demonstrate the department’s responsiveness to local and global challenges while promoting critical thinking and capacity building among students. This comprehensive thematic mapping offers valuable insights into institutional research strategies and underscores the importance of academic ecosystems in advancing regional scholarship and interdisciplinary scientific discourse in developing countries, such as India.

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