With the launch of five-year Integrated Master's Programme in Social Sciences (IMPSS), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) is all set to become the first university in Kerala to implement the programme.

The programme, to be offered in economics, history and political science, is designed to engage nationally and internationally renowned scholars for teaching and mentoring.

The number of seats for each of the programmes, slated to begin from October this year, is fixed at 30, MGU Vice-chancellor Dr Sabu Thomas said.

The programme will be a delicately balanced intersection of various broader social science disciplines including anthropology, public policy and governance within the framework of multi-disciplinary studies.

Dr Thomas said "there is a massive outflow of students to universities outside Kerala for undergraduate studies in social sciences. This is partly because of the lack of Institutions of National or regional standing here. IMPSS will cater to this increasing demand for centres of higher learning in social sciences".

This programme will have academic linkages with institutions inside and outside India.

The scope of collaboration includes exchange of scholars and students, joint research projects, mutual funding for academic events, sharing of materials and rare resources, he said.