The vision of the Department is to establish itself as a centre of excellence in teaching, research, and contribute towards building a people-centred development regime that seeks to achieve a free, open, and just society.
The missions of the Department of Development Studies are:
Mission-1: to play a critical role in shaping and informing contemporary debates about the scope, meaning, and promise of development both locally and globally.
Mission-2: to build and generate knowledge by active engagements with a wide range of stakeholders including but not limited to poor and marginalized communities.
Mission-3: to develop skilled professionals so that they can manage development interventions at local, national, and international levels.
Mission-4: to carry out cutting edge research in addressing the contemporary development problems related to social, political, economic, and environmental issues.
The teaching at the Department follows outcome-based education curriculum. It provides an application-oriented form of advanced education, linking theories to applied research. This is one of the few departments in the world that offers six specific academic programmes.
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honors) in Development Studies
The Bachelor of Social Sciences in Development Studies is a four-year academic programme consisting of: (i) eight semesters, (ii) 140 credit hours with 35 course units for a total of 3500 marks, and (iii) a research project leading to a dissertation. This undergraduate programme is interdisciplinary in nature, and is designed to provide a comparative perspective on the long-term social, political, and economic changes that have accompanied industrialization and the growth of the modern states in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. Successful graduates of this programme are expected to pursue higher studies and excel in public service, private sector and in development sector.
Master of Social Sciences (MSS) in Development Studies
The Master of Social Sciences(MSS) in Development Studies is a one-year academic programme consisting of: (i) two semesters, (ii) two modules: Mandatory and Major (specialization), (iii) 40 credit hours with 07 course units, and (iv) a field research/ project work/ internship. The programme offers a choice of several Majors including Development Economics, Public Policy and Governance, Natural Resource Management, Development Management and Social Behaviour and Development aiming at providing advanced knowledge and skills to the students who have already completed the undergraduate programme in Development Studies.
Professional Master of Development Studies (MDS)
The Masters in Development Studies (MDS) is an 18-months long professional programme consisting of: (i) three semesters;(ii) 64 credit hours, and (iii) a research project. Individuals having at least a 4-years Bachelor degree from any recognized university are eligible to apply for admission. The programme focuses on bridging theories and practices from a development management perspective. It is particularly suitable for public service officials and development professionals in their search for knowledge and tools needed to address the challenges faced in their professional lives.
Specialized Master of Development Studies (MDS) for officials of public Institutions
In order to build the capacity of the public sector officials and enhance their knowledge and understanding about contemporary issues, the Department has introduced specialized Master of Development studies Programme. This is a tailor-made programme for public sector where courses and course contents have been specifically designed to familiarize the public sector officials with the field of development studies, to teach them cutting edge research methods, approaches and to skill them in building their professionals understanding and knowledge so that they can contribute in the journey of development.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Development Studies is a two-year programme consisting of: (i) four semesters, (ii) 64 credit hours, and (iii) course works and extensive research leading to a thesis writing. This degree is targeted to students with an advanced background (i.e., a master’s degree) in social sciences or in a related field. The programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to development, providing the skills and knowledge needed by development policymakers, practitioners and researchers. Successful completion of eight taught courses in the first year (over two semesters) is a pre-requisite for progressing to the second year. The degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of course work and dissertation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Development Studies is a selective, demanding, and advanced research programme with a particular goal of exploring contemporary development challenges, queries and issues through an application of multidisciplinary research methods and perspectives – especially pertinent to the contexts of developing countroes. The terms and conditions regarding admission, examination and other matters relating to the PhD programme are prescribed by relevant regulations enacted by appropriate authorities of the University.
Specialized Training and Certificate Courses
Specialized certificate and training courses on ‘Understanding Development Theories and Practices’ are designed and imparted by the Department to the professionals working in various government and non-government agencies.
Co-curricular and Outreach Activities
As part of their academic training, students of every batch are required to participate in field trips outside of the capital to explore development in practice during their courses of study. Moreover, the Department encourages the students to get involved in several co-curricular activities under different platforms and initiatives. The Development studies Students Forum (DSSF) the umbrella organization for the students of the Development organizes academic seminars workshops and cultural programs around the year. The alumni of the Department, through the Alumni Association and other means, are actively contributing state building.