Bhubaneswar, Jan. 21: Wannabe politicians and social activists now have a chance to opt for a professional programme that promises to groom and bring out the best in them.

The two-year master degree course in good governance and public policy launched by the Sri Sri University here today boasts of hands on training by faculty from the premier Harvard Kennedy School

“We have faculty from the Harvard Kennedy School besides five other trained faculty. The varsity is also in talks with working politicians and social workers to ask them to join as guest faculties. The curriculum will be of international standard, but customised to Indian context,” said Vijaya Lakshmi Mohanty associate director of the varsity.

Classes will start in July, said varsity authorities.

“Although we will be targeting politicians across all age groups, this particular course will primarily be attended by young aspirants as it happens to be a full time course. For the existing political leaders, we plan to come up with courses with shorter durations,” said the senior official.

Vice-chancellor of the varsity Kailash Chandra Mishra said: “The varsity believes educational intervention would create good leaders with better transparency and accountability — the benchmark of good governance and our varsity is committed to play the role of a catalyst.”

“Good governance has wider connotations in the present world order. A sound public policy is required for progress and development of any country and can only emanate from experts who have researched in that field,” said Mishra adding that besides political leaders, the course also targets administrators, visionaries and policy think tanks.

The programme has 16 academic sessions and will help students engage in researching pressing policy issues of the time, learn the nuances of real policy making, and come up with solutions for the well- being of the community.

The students passing out of masters in good governance and public policy would be absorbed by political parties, government agencies, corporate and NGOs, the authorities said adding that the varsity will assist them in their placements too.

Any graduate with a minimum of 55 per cent in graduation level will be eligible for the 60 seats programme with a course fee of Rs 50,000.

Similar courses are imparted in the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy and the IIM Bangalore.