If you really wish to comprehend Development Management, it’s crucial to grasp the concept of development itself. Development management originated by applying core management principles to development endeavors. As time progressed, there emerged a need for process-driven management to eliminate stagnation in public services, particularly in large underdeveloped nations like India. This led to the emergence of Development Management, advancing from conventional development administration to a dynamic, agile, and tailored approach for intricate scenarios and contexts.
Development Management in India, 2023
In a diverse country like India, development is managed within a complex framework, understanding the dynamics of a mixed economy driven by populist policies. It’s evident that development is an ever-evolving, cyclical transformation, rather than a final destination.
The development landscape in our country is evolving, driven by both governmental and non-governmental initiatives and corporate involvement. Recognising the enormity of the development task, the government is adjusting its approach. Simultaneously, the corporate sector is also stepping up. By focusing on social impact and community welfare, the social sector organisations complement the efforts of the government and corporate sector. This transformation aligns well with the aspirations of today’s youth, who prioritise meaningful work over mere financial gains. This shift was made evident in forums like the St. Gallen Symposium, where almost half of the young leaders emphasised the societal impact of their careers, contrasting with the 14% driven solely by income. This trend highlights the changing paradigm of employing management skills for societal betterment.
India is renowned for its quality of education. But
What should your key considerations be before shortlisting an institute for its Development Management programme?
Here are the crucial aspects you must pay attention to while selecting your ideal institute –
Programme type
- Who is it for? – Development Management programmes are usually master’s / post-graduate programmes. So, if you are a graduate looking to gain specialised skills and excel in the social sector, this programme is ideal for you. These programs stand out as they uniquely offer management courses in India’s social sector landscape. If you aim to acquire both a degree and valuable management skills tailored for the social sector, this program is specifically designed to meet your aspirations and professional needs.
- Your aspirations – A career as a social worker encompasses diverse work environments including hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities, and elderly care. It also includes managing and leading the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and corporates to meet their CSR goals.
- Flexibility – Development Management programs are designed to accommodate diverse learning needs. While some programs emphasize hands-on experience in grassroots work in rural areas, others focus on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of social sector organizations, aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. These programs with their diverse curriculum offer a blended delivery structure, combining the convenience of online learning with the benefits of in-person classroom sessions. This hybrid approach allows participants to balance their educational pursuits without the need for a career break, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Accreditations
Checking the accreditations of a B-school is crucial as it ensures the institution meets high academic standards and provides quality education. Try to opt for a programme and an institute that is accredited by AACSB International, AMBA, and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
Rankings
Checking the ranking of a B-school offers insights into its reputation and performance, helping you make an informed decision. Try to opt for an institute that has been ranked among the top management schools for its social impact.
Innovative pedagogy
Development Management is a programme that thrives on interactive pedagogy, focusing on real-life problem-solving and case studies from the social sector. Integrating theory and practice, the curriculum entails application exercises, field-based assignments, and projects during off-contact periods. This ensures the relevance of classroom-acquired knowledge to participants’ workplace contexts. An innovative approach also provides the students working in the same field with exposure and upskilling, helping them to acquire higher positions/ roles/ job profiles in the same/ different organisation.
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Networking with industry leaders
Providing students with the opportunity to network with industry leaders enhances their practical understanding of current trends and challenges. This interaction fosters mentorship, exposure to real-world insights, and potential collaboration, significantly enriching their learning experience and future career prospects.
Location
The location of the institute plays a vital role as its proximity to business hubs or specific industries can offer valuable practical experiences and potential employment connections. For example – in institutes located in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, the Development Management students could benefit from its proximity to a thriving social sector, public policy entities, and corporate CSR activities. This environment fosters meaningful industry engagements, providing hands-on learning for aspiring social change agents.
Eminent faculty
Experienced and knowledgeable professors can provide valuable insights and guidance, enriching your learning experience. Look for institutes with distinguished faculty consisting of leaders who have led prestigious organisations and entrepreneurs whose innovations have opened new vistas for students. As mentors, they nurture students into proficient professionals capable of managing and leading large enterprises.
Impact
Choosing an institute with a proven positive impact on the industry ensures you receive education aligned with real-world trends and requirements. Such institutes offer relevant insights, networking opportunities, and practical knowledge, enhancing your career prospects and ability to contribute effectively to the industry. Try to opt for an institute that has influenced organisations across the country, with its alumni holding key positions as founders, heads, trustees, directors of NGOs, social entrepreneurs, CSR managers, programme officers, and consultants in various social sector organisations.
There are numerous schools offering programmes in Development Management, but which is the one that ticks all the boxes listed above?
PGPDM offered by SPJIMR
The PGPDM, a 12-month modular programme by SPJIMR, caters to professionals already in or aspiring to join the social sector, encompassing NGOs, corporate CSR divisions, government welfare departments, and development-focused enterprises. Structured into three terms, this programme comprehensively covers facets of the development sector, equipping participants with vital skills to advance social justice-driven initiatives effectively.
Objectives
The PGPDM programme aims to empower professionals in the development sector with the ability to contextualise and apply management principles to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of social sector organisations. PGPDM is aligned with the following competency goals –
- Participants become socially sensitive leaders who can recognise, act, and make an impact.
- Participants become capable of leading social sector organisations with impact at scale.
- Participants become innovative social change agents.
Industry connect
PGPDM’s extensive list of recruitment partners and sponsoring organisations include:
| Abhivyakti Foundation | Aditya Birla Group | Ambuja Cement Foundation |
| Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd | Cummins India | Godrej & Boyce |
| Kotak Education Foundation | Piramal Foundation | Praveenlatha Sansthan Foundation |
| Purnata | Reliance Foundation | Tarun Bharat Sangh |
| UN Women |
Faculty Profile
The program boasts an exceptional faculty, comprising core, adjunct, and visiting members with extensive backgrounds tied to prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, Vanderbilt, Purdue, UC Berkeley, London Business School, IIT, Brandeis, Michigan, TISS, IIMs, Nirmala Niketan, among others. This diverse faculty brings in a blend of theoretical and practical expertise to the classrooms. Their collective knowledge spans the realms of management, development, and real-world experience, ensuring a comprehensive and enriched learning environment for students.
Eligibility criteria
A candidate applying for the PGPDM –
- Graduation (in any discipline) from a recognised university.
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience is required.
- Basic proficiency in computers is a must.
- Fluency in English is a requirement as it is a medium of instruction.
Fee and scholarships
Two or more persons joining from the same NGO will get a concession of INR 10000 each.
Learn about the fee structure here.
Student Testimonial
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