Bachelor in development studies

[Suju Bhattarai]

National College for Higher Education, located in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, affiliated to Kathmandu University offers the Bachelors in Development Studies.

About Program
Bachelors in Development Studies deals with the matters like inequality, poverty, environmental development, sustainable development and practices in the global context. The program has a flexible course structure. It is a demand-driven, multidisciplinary course that teaches students to critically inspect local and global prerequisites and procedures of development.

It is a four year semester based program consisting of 127 credit hours. One semester comprises sixteen weeks of rigorous study that comprises both theory and practical. The course of study includes micro economics, introduction to population of Nepal, introduction to gender studies, sociology & social anthropology, English, basic statistics, introduction to population studies, introduction to development studies, applied mathematics, demographic techniques, basic research methods in social sciences, environment & development, introduction to social psychology, conflicts transformation for development etc. in the last semester students needs to submit the project work. Apart from the major, students are exposed to areas like geography, politics, economics and aboriginal studies.

Objectives:
The major objective of this program is to produce sustainable development researchers, entrepreneurs and practitioners. Few major objectives are mentioned below:
– To inculcate understanding and skills in the field of development studies
– End the inequalities and social discrimination in the society
– To equip students with the analytical and critical skills to solve the real world problems
– To enhance the practical expertise through field work and case work
– To equip graduated with the leadership qualities
– To make graduates eligible to further their education in the related field

Admission Requirements
Eligibility criteria
Applicant should have completed +2 in any stream
Applicant should have obtained 45% marks in aggregate from the recognized educational institution
Applicant should take the entrance test followed by the personal interview
Selection is made on the merit basis (good academic, entrance test score and the interview are taken into consideration)

Documents Checklist
Complete and signed application letter
Copy of academic certificates
Copy of character certificate
Copy of citizenship certificate
2 recent passport size photographs

Scope and Career
The program has a huge scope in Nepal. Nepal is working to eradicate the social issues prevailing in the nation, thus it has a great need of competent manpower to do so. Graduates with Bachelor of Developing Studies degree have options to work in sectors including government agencies, government organizations, government departments, bilateral agencies, multi-national companies, aid agencies, NGOs, INGOs and international bodies like UN.

The program intends to produce highly qualified development professionals, academic enthusiast, researcher, development coordinator, community planners, social workers, development adviser, project leader, change & engagement consultant, project manager and so on. Talking about the salary, graduates earn a decent amount of money. Before applying for the real job, it would be wise to take part time job or placement.