The Transdisciplinary University in Bengaluru is all set to launch a multidisciplinary course- Certificate course in Conservation Leadership which could help give your ideas a direction. The varsity says, this is the first of its kind in the country.
The three months short term, course can help one acquire skills of leadership by giving a brief training on basic aspects in the other fields as well.
TDU with international partners such as UNEP, UNCTAD, McGill University, University of Addis Ababa, Ministry of Environment, Ethiopia and others would be designing the syllabus for this course.
This, the university claims, is the first of its kind in the country. Vice Chancellor of Transdisciplinary University, Dr Balakrishna Pisupati speaks of a need for a course of this sort.
“Over the years, we have seen that there are many students who are interested in conservation. The traditional courses, conventional ones, such as Diploma in Conservation, Forest Ecology, Evolution Biology and others provide text book knowledge. This is something that is being studied over the years,” he says.
On the field, however, their ability to find solutions to practical issues has only been limited, says Pisupati adding that this is a challenge that the field is facing right now.
Consider this. “Poor condition of lakes is one issue that has been discussed several times in the recent past. Someone who has done a conventional diploma course might know a theoretical solution to this. But, the same person will not be able to do it in reality. For, they do not know what approach they will have to take. Through the course, we hope to address this issue,” says the Vice Chancellor.
The course could help one acquire a set of skills that are expected of one to be working independently, believes the varsity. “When we ask these students who have pursued the usual courses what they wish to do, the typical answer is that they want to work with voluntary organisations. The idea of working independently in this field is not something heard of very frequently,” he says.
“Most of them do not understand how to look at the economics of a lake. What the political issues are when it comes to conservation of lakes and what interventions are needed? What are the alternatives? How do I prepare a larger section of people with a varied perspective to have the issue addressed? These are few examples of what the course could help an enthusiast understand,” he explains.
The course is designed to touch upon a range of topics from policy making to finance, economics to political science and behavioural science to public engagement. It would also touch upon Multilateral processes, negotiation skills, conservation finance, bio-entrepreneurship etc. Primary among them, the University of Washington would provide sessions on conservation psychology through the course.
From working independently with the government agencies to help address the issue to channelising CSR support and those wanting to join the United Nations or any other international platforms could benefit from this, says the varsity.
