South Asian University, with its motto of knowledge beyond boundaries, takes the resolve to enable all for regional development. Working in silos of different disciplines with iron curtain boundaries has been a major impediment to problem-solving and creativity. Education, especially when rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, is a powerful tool to transform knowledge systems and break these barriers. This vision is closely aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on inclusive and quality education for all. This is the era of the knowledge economy, where innovation drives the economy. In the Global Innovation Index, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal rank 38th, 93rd, 99th, 106th, and 107th, respectively. Maldives, Bhutan, and Afghanistan are yet to be ranked. Shouldering this responsibility, the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies (FIDS) was created in 2025.
The Integrated BS-MS five-year programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences is a unique offering in our region, designed for young minds who are curious about all branches of science and want the freedom to discover their strengths in the spirit of build your own degree, popularly called BYOD. This approach is needed to inculcate aptitude for innovation and problem-solving through a multi-interdisciplinary approach.
In the first three semesters, every student studies biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science together, supported by courses in communication, physical education, and humanities. This broad foundation means that, before you choose a major, you already understand how a biologist, a physicist, a chemist, and a data scientist look at the same problem. From the fourth semester onwards, you gradually focus, and by the end of the programme, you graduate with a strong BS or BS-MS degree in one core discipline such as Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematics, or Physics.
What makes SAU special is its South Asian character. Students and faculty from across SAARC countries learn together, bringing different school systems, cultures, and perspectives into one classroom. This diverse intellectual community ensures an education that is globally informed yet regionally relevant. Opportunities for research exchange, innovation incubators, and faculty mentorships further prepare graduates for careers in scientific research, industry/entrepreneurship, public policy, and advanced doctoral studies. Our curriculum and projects are aligned with the scientific and developmental needs of the region, like climate change, sustainable energy, health, food security, and data‑driven decision making, so that your learning is not only rigorous but also socially relevant.
As a BS-MS student here, you will experience research‑oriented teaching from the first year, access modern laboratories, and work on interdisciplinary projects that prepare you for higher studies, careers in research and industry, as well as emerging areas like AI & Data Science, IPR, Bioentrepreneurship, Technology Management, and science policy. We are building not just specialists, but responsible researchers for both academia and industries, and leaders for South Asia.
If you are excited by questions that do not fit neatly into one subject, and if you want an international campus experience within our own region, the BS-MS in Interdisciplinary Sciences at South Asian University is for you. FIDS warmly invite you to join us and grow with this young and ambitious institution.
