The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is an autonomous graduate school in Singapore, and policy-oriented think tank within the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Founded in 1996 as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, RSIS offers graduate education in international affairs, taught by an array of international faculty. The school is named after former Deputy Prime Minister S. Rajaratnam. RSIS' research, teaching and networking objectives are aimed at assisting policymakers to develop comprehensive approaches to strategic thinking in areas related to Singapore's interests. Overview The RSIS started off as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), autonomous research institute within the Nanyang Technological University. Its stated objectives are to conduct research and provide general and graduate education in the area of national security, military technology and international relations. It also promotes joint and exchange programmes with similar regional and international institutions; and organises seminars and conferences on these topics. When RSIS was established on 1 January 2007, IDSS remained a security-research focused institute within the school, and teaching functions were taken over by the school. Constituents of the school include Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre), Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS). The school's Master of Science degree programmes in Strategic Studies, International Relations, Asian Studies, and International Political Economy are distinguished by their focus on the Asia Pacific, the professional practice of international affairs, and the cultivation of academic depth. In 2010, a Double Masters Programme with Warwick University was also launched, with students required to spend the first year at Warwick and the second year at RSIS. A select Doctor of Philosophy programme caters to advanced students who are supervised by senior faculty members with matching interests. Research Research at RSIS covers a wide spectrum of security and strategic issues, organised into four interlinking areas: Asia-Pacific Security Conflict and Non-traditional Security International Political Economy Country and Area Studies RSIS shares its research findings with the strategic studies and defence policy communities through workshops, conferences, articles in refereed journals and frequent analyses of contemporary events through the RSIS Commentary series. The School has also established the S. Rajaratnam Professorship in Strategic Studies (named after Singapore's first Foreign Minister), to bring distinguished scholars to participate in the work of the institute. Previous holders of