Chennai: The University of Madras is planning to launch its first interdisciplinary postgraduate degree, an MS, in science, technology and national security, from the next academic year.

The department of defence and strategic studies and theoretical physics will collaborate to offer this degree programme.

“This degree will give an understanding of broader areas of security and strategies. The candidates will get exposure to areas such as quantum computing, design thinking, AI tools, and space and underwater domains,” said Rita John, registrar of the University of Madras.

Further, the department of defence and strategic studies is planning to offer a diploma programme in strategic studies to ‘agniveers’ who will come out of the Army after serving for four years.

“We are also planning to launch seven online degrees — BCom, BBA, BA in French, MCom, MA in English, MA in anthropology, and MA in journalism — from the next academic year,” she said. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved these programmes. Meanwhile, the Institute of Distance Education (IDE), too, has plans to launch diploma and certificate programmes next academic year.

The department of adult and continuing education will also offer new diploma programmes in areas such as geriatric care.

“The university has received an invitation to the winter programme in 2026 from the University of Melbourne. Five students from different departments will attend the winter programme with partial financial assistance from the University of Melbourne,” Rita John said.

The university will also host 15 professors from foreign universities in various departments next year.

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