Updated on: Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women's University has announced a unique master of arts (MA) course in non-formal education and development for students, who are looking for innovative areas of studies that add value to their lives, at its Pune campus.
The two-year duration course, which will involve extensive field activity and blend theatre, poetry, music, puppetry and film with academic activities, promises a slew of opportunities in areas as varied as non-government organisations (NGOs), corporate sector, industries, government campaigns, media, research and teaching organizations.
The SNDT Women's University is the first women's university in India as well as in South-East Asia. It was founded by Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve in 1916 for a noble cause of women's education. The first five women graduated in 1921 from this university, which is headquartered in Mumbai with campuses in Mumbai and Pune.
The new post-graduate course will be run by the university's department of continuing and adult education and extension work. Students with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university are eligible for admission to this course, which is open only for women. "The focus of the course activity will be not only on provoking students to think but also get involved in various non-formal education and development activity in the society," a senior official from the university said.
For instance, community organisations and non-formal educadtion and extension activities, training and human resource development, government programmes like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan and Right to Education, media advocacy, life-long learning and continuing and adult education and education-related research will be the thrust areas, the official said. Students, who may desire to join the programme, can access more information on the university's official website: www.sndt.ac.in.