Intensive courses in Development Policy, Planning and Management

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DEVELOPMENT STUDIES PROGRAMME

School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham,

England, UK (Very intensive 11-week courses in

Development Policy, Planning and Management) Next

course: 28 April 2001.

Mail sent by: Sanjoy Kumar Nayak

Director of Development Studies

Course participants: The Development Studies Courses

in Selly Oak was established in 1974. The courses

are specially designed to meet the needs of people

working in many kinds of non-government and international

aid organisations as well as government departments.

There might be a " Postgraduate Certificate in Development

Policy, Planning and Management " option for the course participants

subject to the approval of the Birmingham University.

The courses are unique in terms of their learning and teaching

strategies (please see below) and courses covered (Health and

Social Development; Civil Society; and NGO Management). The

participants come mainly from:

The staff of voluntary development associations, religious and

secular development programmes, and support agencies operating

at national and international level; Those whose work includes

direct management responsibility for development programmes run

and managed by their national governments;

People engaged in administering aid, either in developing countries

or in donor countries; Expatriates working, or preparing to work,

with development programmes in other countries; Community action

groups and civil society organisations; Those engaged in education

and the raising of awareness about development and justice.

The programme encourages applications from women, minorities and

people with disabilities.

Course contents:

The Selly Oak Development Studies Course structure

is unique because each course is developed ‘flexibly’,

according to the particular needs and concerns of participants.

Main themes include the following and are linked to Course

Modules (see below):

Understanding poverty, and the processes of

underdevelopment and development;

Reviewing social and human development and social policy issues

in developing countries; Examining possibilities for social,

political and economic changes at all levels;

Incorporating gender; and environmental issues in development

programmes and policies; Considering relationships among globalisation,

the state and civil society;

Improving practical management skills in planning, budgeting,

implementation, and evaluation; Developing institutions and

building capacity of organisations including advocacy skills;

Analysing the nature, sources, motives and effects of aid, and

the role of voluntary agencies;

Exploring motivation and communication, and becoming more effective

in working with others, handling conflict, problem-solving

and leadership.

Learning and teaching methods:

The course approach is based on parallels between adult learning

and the processes of development itself. Analysis of experience

from within the class is therefore a rich source of learning,

and importance is given to participatory learning methods

throughout the course. The study methods are intensive and

participatory.

The course also works with a variety of practical case studies

and film materials from developing countries.

These methods include discussion in large and small groups,

concept presentations and formal lectures, recommended reading,

case studies, programmed and structured exercises, role play,

simulations, group-work, video films, external visits, and

individual and group assignments. Methods are constantly

interchanged to provide stimulus, to reinforce learning and to

meet individual needs.

Dates for future courses:

28 April to 14 July 2001

29 September to 15 December 2001

20 April to 06 July 2002

28 September to 14 December 2002

Current Fees:

£3500 for tuition and use of facilities of

University of Birmingham and Selly Oak Colleges campus

£1640 (approx.) for accommodation and meals. There

is a limited amount of self-catering accommodation available

on campus at a cost of approximately £600.

A nominal field visit expense will be

charged from 2001. Details not yet available.

In addition, it is recommended that participants should be provided

with a personal allowance of at least £55 per week to cover the

purchase of warm clothing, books and items of personal expenditure.

Scholarships:

Many overseas aid agencies in Europe and North America have

given financial support to course participants in the past.

Different donors have varying application procedures, but

almost all of them require that an applicant should first

obtain the firm recommendation of his or her employing organisation.

The chance of a favourable response is greatly increased if the

applicant’s organisation is already collaborating with the donor

agency in existing development programmes.

Requests for scholarship support should be submitted directly to the

donor agencies. Once funding has been agreed, the Department will

issue an admission certificate in order to facilitate the application

process for a visa to enter the United Kingdom.

We have a very limited number of part-bursaries available to us

and demand for them is very high. However, if you wish to apply

for one of these, you should send in a fully completed application

form (page 4 must be filled in by the employing organisation)

together with a covering letter and we will see if you meet the

criteria or offer suggestions for sponsorship elsewhere.

COURSE MODULES

Module 1:

Development Theory, Policy and Practice

International Relations and Trade; Civil Society and

NGOs

Module 2:

Planning and Management of Organisations

Development Co-operation, Capacity-Building and

Partnership

Module 3:

Participatory Project Planning and Management

Working in the Community; Gender and Development

Module 4:

Specialist Options for Research Projects: Social

Development &

Policy; Poverty & Participation; Health &

Population

Applications:

Application forms are available on request. Urgent

enquiries may be sent by fax or e-mail.

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Course Administrator

The University of Birmingham

Selly Oak Campus

Elmfield House, Bristol Road

Birmingham B29 6LQ

England, UK.

Telephone: +44 (0)121 415 2295

Telefax: +44 (0)121 415 2296

E-mails: w.banner@...

Websites: http://www.bham.ac.uk/socsci

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