(ANS - Guwahati) - In an effort to offer higher education in socially relevant studies accessible in northeast India the Assam Don Bosco University launched 3 new Masters level courses as well as a post graduate diploma course. The new courses introduced this year include Master of Social Work (MSW), M. Tech. in Electronics and Communication (Opto-electronics and Optical Communication) and M. Tech. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence). 
 
Post Graduate Diploma in Child Rights and Development (PGDCRD) is another DBU new sector of specialized Human Rights studies introduced in the region. The new courses were formally launched at the DBU Campus at Azara, near Guwahati airport, 23 August 2011, marking the commencement of fourth academic year. “The focus on Master of Social Work is to train leaders in social responsibility who will impact their society for the better and bring about professional management of NGOs (non-governmental organizations)”, said DBU Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Mavely. 

The four-semester postgraduate programme in Social Work leading to the degree of Master of Social Work (MSW) has an innovative blend of theory, fieldwork and research. It provides students with a variety of skills to enable them to be active social workers in the field themselves, to set up and manage social work organizations of their own, or to find employment with various national and international agencies.

In pursuance of these goals, great emphasis is placed on exposing the students to the philosophy and methodology of social work, its sociological and psychological underpinnings, and practical experience in scientific research in this field.

Instead, the aim of M Tech Programme Dr Mavely said, “is for in-service teachers to create a well-prepared pool of staff for the professional colleges”. The University has M. Tech. Programmes in three disciplines - Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering & Communications Engineering, and Computer Science Engineering. The specific areas of specialization - Optoelectronics and Optical Communication, and Artificial Intelligence - are areas where cutting edge technology meets the demands of industry.

These programmes seek to address the acute shortage of qualified professionals in these areas of engineering in North-East India by providing an opportunity to aspiring candidates to ground themselves in their disciplines of choice with specialized knowledge, hands-on projects and an introduction to research methodology.
Convenient class timings have been scheduled to enable lecturers and working professionals to use this opportunity to enhance their qualification and skills.
The PG Diploma Programme, Dr Mavely explained, “will prepare professionals in the area of Child welfare, Child protection, Child legislation, and NGO Management”.

The PG Diploma Programme in `Child Rights and Development` brings children`s rights to life as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the context of development using innovative research, education and capacity building that draws on the strengths of children, their families, communities and culture. It aims to enhance the capacity of individuals, organizations, and governments, to effectively use the existing legal provisions, insights from developmental psychology and the findings of contemporary research to transform systems and create peace and dignity for children and our world - moving child rights from rhetoric to reality.
This Programme, spread over two semesters (1 year), deals with topics of vital interest to Social Workers, NGOs, Lawyers, Human Rights Advocates, members of Religious Orders and Dioceses. The course will concentrate on a wide spectrum of child related issues and topics such as Child Rights, Child Psychology, Child Counseling, Child Care Services, Child Protection Issues, Child-related Legislation, and NGO Formation.

There are seven online degree programs started earlier this year. They include Executive MBA (18 Months), MBA in Technology Management (2 years), MBA in Entrepreneurship (2 years), MBA with Specialization (2 years), MS (Information Technology) (2 years), Bachelor of Business Administration (3 years), and Bachelor of Computer Application (3 years).

Published 2/9/2011