With growing number of welfare organisations, voluntary agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGO) working for the development of the nation, there is a huge demand for skilled and qualified professionals at the delivery level.
The post graduation programme in NGO management was launched in during the last academic year at the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), to groom young professionals with adequate knowledge and ability to understand the functions of NGO. “The programme offered at the MSSW provides skills necessary to deal with the practical problems of managing NGO (or any development programme) and projects,” says Dr. Fatima Vasanth, principal of MSSW.
The MSSW is awaiting approval from the University of Madras for change in nomenclature of the degree from MA in NGO management to MA development management. The nomenclature was changed from this year onwards as the name “NGO” was restricting the essence of this course in people’s mind. The students are educated on varied range of management subjects like Human Resource Management, finance, information systems, project management, refuge management, development management, disaster management, environment management, entrepreneurship development along with combinations of Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Global Issues, Women & Child Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fundraising & Networking etc. Hence the name is changed to development management.
The job prospects are good both in India and abroad. Students land up in jobs in WHO and UNICEF and other international organisations float their NGOs or take up research. “The scope for research is vast n this field. The contribution made by social scientists is enormous. Research in the field of public health, sanitation, disease, education is vital. Of late intesnse research is happening in the area of violence in schools, migrant workers and disability,” says Dr. Vasanth.
Candidates should have degree from any recognised university. Age limit is 40 and this can be relaxed for development workers who would like to join the programme. Scholarships are available for deserving candidates. NGOs can also sponsor their candidates for this two-year course.
