Established in 1994, FIDS was the maiden Faculty of the then Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS). Since its establishment, FIDS has promoted integrated/interdisciplinary approach to teaching, learning and research. All students of the faculty were awarded degrees in BA Integrated Development Studies, until the 2008/2009 Academic Year when optional programmes were introduced to provide a variety of opportunities to graduates of the programmes in varied fields of development practice. The first batch of students who pursued degrees in Integrated Development Studies with optional programmes passed out in December 2010. The optional degree programmes were further reviewed in 2009/2010 and the revised programmes and mounted for the 2010/2011 academic year.

When the Wa Campus of UDS became an autonomous university christened Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, the Faculty of Social Science and Arts was carved out of FIDS. Currently, FIDS is composed of four departments namely, Department of Communication Studies (DECS), Department of Development Studies (DDS), Department of Environment and Resource Studies (DERS) and Department of African and Endogenous Studies (DAES). The faculty runs attractive programmes for award of terminal and master’s degrees, first degrees and diplomas in range of disciplines with an orientation towards development.

To be a centre of academic excellence in training students in interdisciplinary fields of study and to equip them with relevant skills and competencies needed in the job market of the 21^st century.

FIDS’ mission is to train and equip students with knowledge, skills and resourcefulness, which would empower them to be creative and innovative in the services they render to industry and communities.