NLSIU Welcomes MPP Batch 2020-2022
July 22, 2020
Welcome to the 7th Cohort of the Masters of the Policy Programme!
In any other year, we would welcome our new batches into the University with a week-long orientation programme involving the usual campus tour, an introduction to faculty and peers, and a peek into the course features. This year however, our new MPP batch begins its NLS journey on July 22 completely online, and in rather exceptional circumstances in the midst of a pandemic.
We are glad however that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dampened the spirit of our academic endeavours. Students have enrolled in higher numbers this year with our MPP batch growing from 50 to 70. We also welcome the second batch of the Integrated Ph.D. programme in Public Policy. We are excited to welcome all of you to an engaging and intellectually productive time with us through and beyond the pandemic.
The Public Policy programme at NLSIU commenced in 2014. Prof Sony Pellissery, Associate Professor and Member, MPPP Council emphasized that the programme specialises in the interface of law and policy. “Since every good legislation requires clarity on policy, an interdisciplinary learning of politics, law and economics distinguishes our Public Policy pedagogy from any other programme in the world,” he said.
“Given that the world is in the tight grip of a pandemic, what is the most appropriate intervention we can make? A group of enthusiastic faculty members are waiting to engage with young aspiring professionals this year. A comprehensive review of the curriculum was undertaken last year and a new curriculum will be rolled out for the batch of 2020-22,” Prof Pellissery said.
Our Students
A few students from our new batch share their hopes and aspirations as they begin the programme in the midst of a pandemic.
K Ankitha Rao
Background: I have an Undergraduate Degree from Flame University with a Major in Literary and Cultural studies and a Minor in Public Policy. I am keen to explore policy advocacy and hope to work in the development sector someday and get involved with social policies.
What attracted me to the MPP programme: I was really interested in public policy and a legal touch to this programme was an added advantage. I feel such courses provide better options of employability with policy related work.
Dealing with the pandemic: When I applied for the programme, the Corona virus scare was not there in India and I never imagined this would start out as an online experience. I really wish I could be on campus right now. But, over the past few months, I had come to terms with the fact that circumstances would be different this year. I was disappointed initially but when I got admission into the course, it somehow balanced the situation for me as I now know what I will be focused on for the next two years.
Staying connected: Given the off campus experience, a few of us from the batch tried to connect with each other on Facebook and have created a WhatsApp group in the hope of establishing some form of a peer network.
Aishwarya Tiwari
Background: I completed my five-year BA LLB programme from Allahabad University and I am interested in civil services as well. I hope to someday work with think tanks and research organisations and eventually venture into academia.
What attracted me to the MPP programme: The interdisciplinary level of education in this course caught my fancy. I am passionate about societal issues and knowledge of policies is crucial for understanding and tackling them. This knowledge is what I hope to gain during the course.
Dealing with the pandemic: Right from the application process to the interviews, the entire process was carried out online in a very interactive manner. We will miss our on-campus experience but this is a challenge Universities across the world are dealing with as it has become the new normal during the pandemic.
Naturally, an interpersonal connect with peers and faculty is preferred any day over anything online. I hope some steps can be taken during the trimester to encourage peer group interactions.
ನಿವೇದಿತಾ ಜಿ.ಡಿ. (Niveditha GD)
ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ: ಅಜೀಂ ಪ್ರೇಮ್ಜಿ ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದಿಂದ ಆರ್ಥಿಕತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದಿರುವ ನನಗೆ ಮೊದಲಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸೋಚಾರಾ ಮತ್ತು ಮಧ್ಯಪ್ರದೇಶದ ನರ್ಮದಾ ಬಚಾವೋ ಆಂದೋಲನದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಇಂಟರ್ನ್ಶಿಪ್ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು, ಮುಂದೆ ತೃಣಮೂಲ ಮಟ್ಟದ ಜನಪರ ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುವ ಇರಾದೆ ಇದೆ.
ಎಂಪಿಪಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಆಕರ್ಷಿಸಿದ್ದು: ನೀತಿ-ನಿರೂಪಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಜನರ ಮೇಲೆ ಇದರ ಪ್ರಭಾವದ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿಕರ. ಭವಿಷ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ತೃಣಮೂಲ ಮಟ್ಟದ ಜನಪರ ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಜನರ ಹೋರಾಟಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ದುಡಿಯುತ್ತಾ ಜನ ಮತ್ತು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಡುವಿನ ಸಂಘರ್ಷಣೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ಕೋವಿಡ್-೧೯ರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬದುಕು: ಈ ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ ೨೦೧೯ರಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿದಾಗ ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದ ಹೊಸ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯವನ್ನು ಈ ರೀತಿ ಶುರು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆಂದು ಒಂದರೆಕ್ಷಣವೂ ಊಹಿಸಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೊರೋನಾ ಪಿಡುಗಿನಿಂದ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕಾರ್ಯವೂ ಹೊಡೆತ ತಿನ್ನಬಹುದು, ಇದು ದುರದೃಷ್ಟಕರ. ಮೊದಲ ಟ್ರೈಮಿಸ್ಟರ್ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲೇಜಿಗೆ ಬರುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಎದುರು ನೋಡುತ್ತ
ಿದ್ದೆ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ನಿರಾಸೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯವಹರಿಸಲು ಎದುರು ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಇದು ಹೊಸ ಬಗೆಯ ತರಗತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಇದರಲ್ಲೂ ಹಲವು ಉತ್ತಮ ಅವಕಾಶಗಳಿರುತ್ತವೆಂದು ಆಶಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.