The ambitious development agenda in the country has generated a growing demand for trained professionals to manage field-based projects in different regions of the country. Many Government agencies and National & International NGOs are recruiting young professionals to undertake challenging field responsibilities.

The programme aims to assist young professionals to develop perspectives and competencies to effectively manage field based participatory development projects. It is intended to act as a bridge between the academic preparation of a professional and the practical challenges faced in managing field-based projects. It consists of a careful selection of conceptualised inputs and field based learning. After an initial orientation to concepts and tools students will be placed in field settings to apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations. A meticulously designed field engagement and a systematic review will ensure acquisition of crucial skills and competencies required at the field level.

This programme is an introduction to the practice and theory of community-based participatory research and evaluation from the global perspective. The emphasis is on participatory research and evaluation, community action and community transformation. Examples are drawn from international case studies. Issues of partnership, degrees of participation, and guidelines for practice are featured along with innovative ways of creating and representing knowledge in a community-based context. Completion of this programme will enable learners to design and conduct participatory research and evaluate projects in their own communities.

The course aims to build basic understanding of PRIs, which is a necessary prerequisite to promote an effective institution of self-government at the local level. The course intends to empower and expand knowledge and skills of the personnel concerned and update their professional expertise. The goal of the course is to strengthen understanding on the concepts and principles of decentralization and the fundamentals underlying PRIs.

On completion of the course the learners will be able to understand the concepts and principles of decentralization and the fundamentals underlying PRIs. The learners will become familiar with the issues related to PRIs, thus, enabling them to build understanding on strategies for strengthening PRIs.

Over the past 25 years, the sociology of women has given way to the sociology of gender and understanding women in relation to men in terms of what they were, are or can be. Also today there is an understanding that there are ‘feminities' and ‘masculinities' which are more multiple than singular expressions of gender. Since its inception, PRIA has been actively involved in fulfilling its vision of creating a society characterized by gender justice and equity. Towards the fulfillment of this commitment, gender mainstreaming in the institutional development has become an explicit Governing Board Policy, addressing PRIA's concern about gender equity at the workplace. Backed by PRIA's vast experience in the field and its commitment towards ensuring an equitable gender just society, this programme attempts to take learners through the different dimensions of gender in relation to the society we live in today.

The aim of the course is to strengthen basic understanding on the concept of civil society, a term which is increasingly finding relevance in most development discourse. The course considers a range of conceptual and practical issues faced by civil society in their pursuit of social change. While providing a critical analysis of different debates and perspectives on the theme, the course will simultaneously strengthen understanding on issues like: What do we mean by state? What is market? Who are the international development agencies? What do we mean by development and participatory development? What is democracy and governance? What is capacity building? What is globalisation?

On completion of the course the learners would acquire basic understanding on the concept of Civil Society, with particular reference to developing countries and become familiar with examples of Civil Society’s contribution to development and strengthening democracy. The learner will be able to build an understanding on strategies for strengthening Civil Society at the sectoral and organizational level.

This course assists the learner in identification and assessment of risks from health hazards in the workplace. This involves surveillance of the factors in the working environment and working practices that may affect workers' health. A systematic approach to the analysis of occupational "accidents" and occupational diseases is gradually developed. At the end of the course, the learner will be equipped for advising on planning and organisation of work and working practices; providing advice, information, training and education on occupational health, safety, hygiene and ergonomics; surveillance of workers' health in relation to work and organising first aid and emergency treatment. The learner is also enabled to analyze legal and regulatory issues surrounding an occupational health problem.