Ranchi, Jan. 18: The department of commerce and business management, Ranchi University, is all set to start two new courses from March this year.

After getting an approval from the syndicate and academic council, the department will start the two courses — one-year postgraduate diploma in retail management and two-year masters degree in rural development management.

Till now, only Xavier Institute of Social Services offered the two-year rural development course.

There will be 100 seats in each of the courses while the fee will be Rs 30,000 per semester for rural development and Rs 40,000 per semester for retail management.

One of the faculty members of the department, Shahid Akhtar, said the demand for rural development had gone up in recent years. “There are many students who are looking forward to making a career in rural management,” he said.

Retail is also a booming sector. “As far as placements are concerned, the university has a placement cell that will invite companies to hire once the course is complete,” Akhtar said.

“We are in talks with Reliance and Big Bazaar to arrange for training in their retail outlets,” he added.

After completion of rural development course, the students can be placed in NGOs that are working in rural area of Jharkhand.

As for the faculty, the department has six teachers and guest teachers will be roped in by the varsity.

The entrance test for both the courses is scheduled for February 22, while the last date to submit the admission forms is February 8.