Genesis

The Proposal for the opening of Vocational Course in the P.G. Department of Anthropology, Ranchi University, Ranchi was initiated by Dr. Karma Oraon. The then Head of Department of Anthropology. The efforts and initiatives were finally given recognition by the then Vice Chancellor. Dr. A.A. Khan. The Courses of study and the Regulation got approval by the academic Council on 08-06-2005, the syndicate on 19-11-2005 and the senate on 16-09-2006 and later on got approval of H.R.D. Dept. Govt. of Jharkhand and finally by His Excellency, Governor of Jharkhand as notified by the Registrar, Ranchi University on 07-07-2008 During the Directorship of Dr. Ajit Kumar Singh and the Co-ordinatorship of Dr. Awinash Chandra Mishra, the day came on 25th July, 2011 ,when this Rural Development course started from the academic session 2011-13 . The former Vice Chancellor Late Dr. L.N. Bhagat in his inaugural speech expressed his whole hearted support and guidance to this course.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar is the Director of M.A. in Rural Development Course & H.O.D. University Department of Anthropology, Ranchi University and Dr. Dinesh Oraon is the Co-ordinator of the Course. Other faculty members have been doing all efforts in the interest of the growth of R.D. Course as well as the Students.

Rural Training Programme

The nucleus of M.A. in Rural Development course is the Rural Training Programme, which is a fundamental component of the curriculum. The field work practicum is the central mechanism for transmitting theoretical knowledge into the practical level of work. Practice learning in Rural Development training plays a pivotal role in providing the students with an opportunity to explore learn and develop professional skills necessary for working with governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations, the essence of the profession. It has several components that help the students to develop a holistic understanding of the problems, situations, their causative factors and the possible strategies of intervention. The students stay in the Rural Areas of India as selected by the Director/Co-ordinator of M.A. in rural Development Course for the period of 21 days along with their Field in-charge.

The students are also trained to conduct a meeting with the rural people on various issues related with the sectors of social, economic, political, health etc., awareness camps on education and health are also conducted by the students during the period of their Field Training under the guidance and support of their Field in-charge. In such awareness camps the students are also trained to get the support from the Governmental and Non-Governmental Organization working within that particular rural area. Internal qualities of the students are utilized in a refined manner in such awareness camps during the period of Field Training. There is a Computer Lab for computer training of the students.

The broad aim of the Field Work is to provide opportunities to the students to apply the knowledge learnt in the classroom situations and to plan, implement and evaluate these experiences while working with individuals, groups and communities within Rural and Urban Areas. The main focus of the Field Work is to utilize the knowledge of the students and skills in rural areas of India. The students are evaluated on the basis of Field Reports submitted by them followed by viva-voce test examination conducted by Ranchi University.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Graduate from any faculty/ discipline recognised by the Academic Council of Ranchi University

2. Minimum 45% marks in aggregate at Graduation level is necessary

Duration of the Course

1. The duration of the course will be of Two years consisting of 4 Semesters.

2.Students will have to clear the required papers in all 4 Semesters examinations as arranged by the university i.e. sem. I, II, III, IV, as per C.B.C.S. model.

Institutional Visit

Every batch of students is encouraged to visit institutions in rural areas of the country.

Skill Development Training

Skill Development Training organized by the department for fifteen days e-learning EDP conducted by the institute (NIESBUD) from 1st March 2017 to 15th March 2017 sponsored by National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Resins Development (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India) in which 50 students participated and successfully completed the course.