PGDSIM

PGDSIM

Post Graduate Diploma in Social Initiative & Management (PGDSIM) is a good combination of rigorous theory with fieldwork practice. It includes dynamic workshops and skill development programmes on issues related to the development sector. Prospective Social Entrepreneurs (PSE) present their project proposal to a panel of experts who critically assesses and guide the implementation process.

As part of the orientation programme, PSE's are oriented on the course, taken on field visits to various social enterprises and NGOs, and attend guest lectures delivered by practitioners. They also attend workshops on Group Dynamics and Street Theatre which enables them to function as an effective team during the course period. Six core subjects and two optional subjects are handled during each semester.

Both theoretical inputs and practical insights to all these subjects are provided by experienced faculty who are academicians, social entrepreneurs, and subject experts. The classes for optional subjects are held on Tuesdays for five weeks, while the rest of the days are dedicated for the core subjects. Contact classes are conducted for two days a week and concurrent field work is assigned on the other days.

At the end of the course, each student is assigned to an NGO for one-month to serve as an intern and understand its day-to-day functioning.

Until now, 18 batches have been completed and in total 361 participants have received their diplomas. 71 of them have launched new social enterprises. Many NGO heads and NGO staff hailing from rural areas have been oriented on social entrepreneurship.

CSIM launched PGDSIM at Queen Mary's College, Chennai in July 2015. 132 Students undergoing their III Year UG in Sociology have completed this course. Classes are conducted three days a week for one- year period.