1. About TERI University:
The University was established and constituted on 19th August 1998 and was granted ‘Deemed-to-be University’ status by the University Grants Commission and notified vide Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Education, Government of India (notification no.F-9/19/95-U-3 dated 5th October 1999). The genesis of TERI University is rooted in the comprehensive research, consultancy, and outreach activities of TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute, later renamed The Energy & Resources Institute), a not-for-profit independent research institute recognized globally for its contribution to scientific and policy research in the realms of energy, environment, and sustainable development.
The relationship with TERI has propelled and influenced the evolution of its academic units. This relationship is enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and TERI, wherein the two have agreed on collaborative research and programmes, joint studies, and mutual support for seminars, symposia, and conferences. TERI has also provided an initial corpus to financially support the University’s establishment. Additionally, TERI’s existing infrastructure – state-of-the-art laboratories, well-equipped field stations, and highly professional manpower – is available for TERI University to tap into and gain from.
TERI University also entered into a MoU with the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies of the Yale University; Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre, USA; University of Nottingham, UK; Michigan State University, USA; New South Wales University, Australia; Freie University Berlin, Germany; University of Iceland, Iceland and North Carolina State University, USA. These inter-institutional MoUs are aimed at facilitating mutually beneficial exchange of students, faculty, knowledge, resources, and ideas. The university has various post graduate, M.Tech. and Doctoral programmes.
2. About MA (Public Policy & Sustainable Development):
The Department of Policy Studies set up at TERI University in 2005, offers the MA Public Policy & Sustainable Development (MA-PP&SD) programme.
This is a programme for mid-career civil servants of the government as well as the non-government and corporate sectors with a view to facilitating development oriented policy decision-making. It would also be open to graduates from India and other countries, who have a work experience of five years. The course will deal with the various facets of policies in the much-changed scenario of economic reforms and sustainable development.
In the first year of the programme, during which the primary requirement will be course-work, the students will be exposed to basic concepts of the public policy environment. This will be with a view to a practical orientation, and new methodologies and tools will be demonstrated to the students. The first year of the programme will include a set of core and elective courses at the TERI University, New Delhi, with a brief term of six weeks at the Universities in the USA.
A major portion of the second year will be devoted to project or dissertation work in an area chosen by the participant and to be undertaken at his or her workplace. Towards the end of the second year, participants will return with their completed dissertations and spend about three weeks at TERI University, during which they will present their projects and complete the remaining requirements for the award of the degree.
3. Programme Objectives:
The objective of the MA (PP&SD) programme is to support mid-career civil servants and the other participants in the following:
- Connecting concepts and theory with practice to bring about a greater understanding of the development contours of public policy and management
- Developing awareness of recent trends in public policy design and management
- Enmeshing domestic and international public policy domains with emphasis on social and environmental aspects of globalization and development
- Applying rigorous methodologies and sophisticated tools and techniques to public policy and project design, formulation, evaluation, implementation, and management
- Obtaining international and cross-cultural experiences in public policy and development through short-term training at international universities or institutes dealing with the subject of public policy and development
- Combining general courses in quantitative methods, policy analysis, and public management with more specialized courses
