Friendship Academy, in collaboration with the University of Dhaka and the Learning Planet Institute, inaugurates a month-long summer school course that will begin on August 4, 2023
by Tahmeed Chaudhury July 25, 2023
The summer school course, titled Development in Practice, is designed for graduates and early career professionals in the development sector, and will be taught by faculties from the Department of Development Studies of the University of Dhaka, faculty from other reputed universities and development practitioners from renowned NGOs, INGOs, and other national and international development organisations.
With 50 hours of intensive lectures and a field visit to Gaibandha in between, classes will be taken during the weekends to accommodate students’ busy schedules and will conclude by the end of August 2023. While most classes will take place physically inside the University of Dhaka compound, those taken by international guest trainers will be held online.
The course will be inaugurated on August 4, with a special ceremony at the university campus where Dr. Atiur Rahman, professor, Emeritus; and Dr. Taiabur Rahman, ex-chair of the Dept. of Development Studies; Dr. Zia Rahman, dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; and Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Dept. of Development Studies from the University of Dhaka will be speaking.
The course will propound practical knowledge and theoretical development concepts, including development theories and approaches, models in practice, management, communication, monitoring and evaluation, gender, diversity and inclusion, sustainable development and community engagement, environment and climate change, digital space and community voice, social innovation, partnership building, participatory planning and project development. Students will also gain practical experience from a field visit that will allow them to engage with marginalised and climate-impacted communities.
Development professionals must gain a practical and intimate understanding of the communities, so that they can learn to perceive deeply the needs of the people.
Runa Khan, founder, Friendship and course instructor
Professor Kazi Maruful Islam, professor of Governance and Politics in the department of development studies at the University of Dhaka, said, “In this new millennium, development studies must put community needs and practical experiences at the core of its teaching and research programs.”
Although the course content is tailored according to the development model of Bangladesh, it is international in its scope and nature and the language of instruction is English. One of the lessons will teach the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which helps one find a passion that gives value and joy to life.
Pascal Kolbe, Facilitator at the Learning Planet Institute, France, and instructor of the lesson on Ikigai, said, “The most fundamental way to engage in social change is living the values that you believe in. Being yourself is a revolutionary act.”
Development in Practice, the first offering of its kind at Dhaka University, will be fully funded and offered to successful applicants free of cost. Applications are open at: https://friendship-edu.info/registration. The summer school program will take place on a continual basis during the summer months every year.
Update: All available seats have been filled, and the course is in session since August 4.