EDI final placements sees number of NGOs go empty-handed

For the ninth batch graduating from the uniquely-structured Post Graduate Diploma in Management of NGOs (PGDMN) at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), it was a case of top NGOs and even a state department returning empty-handed as students were placed half way through their rolling placement month.

Some 25 students from the post graduate diploma in management of NGOs graduated this year along with the batch of students from the Post Graduate Diploma in Business Entrepreneurship and Management which is for people who want to become entrepreneurs and therefore do not take up offers during placements.

The PGDMN programme is for those interested in joining social development organisations and this year some of the institute's students preferred to work with included Aga Khan Rural Support Programme-India (AKRSPI) Madhya Pradesh, Consumer Education Research Centre (CERC) Ahmedabad, Development Support Centre (DSC) Ahmedabad, DIFD and Government of Orissa supported Bamboo Pilot Project Orissa, Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation-Government of Gujarat, Janvikas Ahmedabad, Saath Ahmedabad, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) Gandhinagar among others. At least 16 other NGOs and institutes had visited the campus.

The students have been offered middle management level roles in the organisation.

The job profile offered to PGDMN students has varied from grassroots implementation of programme to documentation, research, MIS, project management, training and capacity building etc depending on the interest of the student.

"One needs to understand that social development organisations are not-for-profit organisations and they have to either depend on grants or donations to run its activities. In that context it is commendable that students are determined to serve in this sector inspite of the fact that the salaries in the development sector are low compared to private and government sectors, " said Ramkrishna Mistry, Faculty & Academic Coordinator (PGDMN), EDI.

The PGDMN course focuses on the practical aspects of dealing with developmental issues and the course curriculum has been designed and reviewed by NGOs.