Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit

The Centre for Museum Studies at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, started its journey in 2020. The centre offers M.A. in Museology for students aiming to provide academic and practical expertise in the field of museum profession. This is the only Centre that provides opportunities for Post-Graduate level studies in museum-related discourse in Southern India. The centre aims to produce an ample amount of workforce for the upcoming professional needs in the realm of practical museology. To accommodate students within the practical and theoretical knowledge in Museology, the centre provides its students with various types of learning opportunities, i.e., Course Internship, Annual Public Exhibition, Workshops, Lecture Series, Research, Paper Presentation, Field Visits and Excursion, etc. Since 2020 the Centre for Museum Studies, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Kalady, with utmost precision and academic support, has managed to involve their alumni within various museums, cultural organisations and further higher-level research endeavours in Universities.

Vision
To emerge as a centre of excellence in museological studies rooted in Indian cultural heritage, while fostering critical inquiry, technological integration, and interdisciplinary scholarship to redefine museum practice as a dynamic site of knowledge production, cultural preservation, and public engagement.

Mission
To advance the academic discipline of Museology through rigorous teaching, research, and fieldwork, integrating classical Indian knowledge systems with contemporary global practices.

To cultivate a generation of museum professionals equipped with theoretical insight, curatorial competence, and ethical responsibility towards tangible and intangible heritage.

To engage with communities, institutions, and heritage sites across Kerala and beyond, facilitating participatory museum practices that are inclusive, sustainable, and context-sensitive.

To promote scholarly exploration into the role of museums in the digital age, exploring intersections with critical museology, visual culture, indigenous knowledge systems, and environmental history.

To contribute to the national and international discourse on heritage management, cultural policy, and public history, thereby positioning the department as a key actor in the evolving museological landscape of South Asia.

Academic & Programme Coordinator:
Dr. R. Sharmila

Faculty Members on Contract:
Mr. Subhrajit Banerjee
Mr. Abdulla Majid MK
Mrs. Anju Chacko

Programmes

M.A. in Museology

Type: PG

Duration(in Years): 2

Evaluation: Credit

Intake: 25

Mode: Regular

Eligibility

Any Bachelors Degree.

Program Outcomes

Understand the conceptual and historical evolution of museums as modern institutions.
Analyse the concepts of heritage, conservation and exhibits that define a museum.
Identify the cultural and linguistic resources and art and aesthetic traditions that form part of museums.
Locate the physical aspects and contents of a museum and the methods of dissemination and communication.
Build expertise on establishing, managing and administering museums.
Familiarise with the contents and functioning of existing museums both in India and abroad.
Formulate research and development designs for museums from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Recognise the plural and diverse fabric of our history and region.
Gain theoretical and practical knowledge in designing and interpreting museum objects.

Campus

Kalady

About the Program

The M. A. Programme in Museology is designed and structured to introduce material cultural knowledge on the emergence and evolution of Museums; to acquaint with the various concepts and theories regarding Museums; to expound the various aspects of museum configuration, museum education, communication and to enable students to efficiently engage in both the theoretical as well as practical aspects of Museums. It reflects the theories, methodologies, methods, concepts and data for engaging with Museums. As a Programme included within the purview of Social Sciences, it will provide expertise in both research and knowledge building on Museums as well as provide hands on training in organising and managing Museums of various types. The Centre is part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and offers Post Graduate Degree (M. A. in Museology).

Syllabus:

View Syllabus

Achievements/Announcements

UT̥ALUM UT̥UPPUM

The Annual Public Exhibition and Talk Series 2024; entitled as ‘UT̥ALUM UT̥UPPUM’ organized by the Centre for Museum Studies took place from 17th to 21st March, 2025 at Kanakadhara Museum, Sree Sankar...

Multicultural Confluences: The...

Annual Public Exhibition 2023 organized by Centre for Museum Studies, SSUS Kalady

Dr. R. Sharmila

Assistant Professor

sharmilar72@ssus.ac.in

9447574587

Centre for Museum Studies

MissionTo advance the academic discipline of Museology through rigorous teaching, research, and fieldwork, integrating classical Indian knowledge systems with contemporary global practices.