Veranda IAS Signs MoU with M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women to Launch Diploma in Governance & Policy Studies

CHENNAI, 28th OCTOBER 2024: Veranda IAS, a Veranda Learning enterprise, announced its collaboration with M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women (Autonomous), a premier educational institution in Chennai. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both will jointly offer a Diploma in Governance and Policy Studies, providing students of M.O.P. Vaishnav College (Autonomous) with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape of public policy and governance.

The six-month diploma course will be offered alongside the students’ undergraduate degree programs, allowing them to pursue this diploma concurrently with their college studies.  As the course is done along with graduation, students spend minimum time preparing for competitive exams.

Built on extensive research by Veranda IAS, the curriculum is uniquely tailored to enhance competitive exam readiness, providing students with a solid foundation to prepare for over 200 competitive exams. The program integrates key elements essential for public-sector roles, ensuring students are equipped to thrive in both government, non-governmental spaces, think tanks, and public sector undertakings.

The program will serve as an effective foundation for students interested in preparing for civil service exams, as it emphasizes areas essential for competitive test readiness, such as public policy, ethics, geography, and economics, which are integral to civil services and other competitive exam syllabi. This serves as a stepping stone for students who aim to pursue advanced studies in Public Policy, Public Administration, and Social Work.

The students who take up this course can diversify their careers into industries such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), policy drafting, and social work.

The curriculum includes 200 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of internship, fieldwork, and other practical activities to ensure students gain hands-on skills essential for the workplace. The program will feature prominent faculty, including:

• Mr. U Sagayam, IAS (R) – Social issues & Ethics
• Mr. K M Ilanchezhian (Ex-Armed Forces) – Teaching Geography and Internal Security.
• Mr. R Saravana Kumaran, IRS (R) – Economics.

The Diploma in Governance & Policy Studies will commence in 2025, with applications soon opening to students from diverse academic backgrounds who aspire to make an impact in governance and public policy.

Mr. Bharath Seeman, CEO of Veranda IAS, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to partner with a prestigious institution like M.O.P. Vaishnav College. At Veranda IAS, we aim to equip future leaders with a deep understanding of public policies and governance structures. This diploma will provide students with an academic foundation in governance while also fostering practical skills that are crucial in today’s rapidly evolving socio-political environment.”

Dr. Archna Prasad, Principal of M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, also shared her excitement about the collaboration, adding, “We are proud to join hands with Veranda IAS to offer a course that aligns with our vision of empowering women to become leaders in society. The Diploma in Governance & Public Policies will not only enhance the academic profile of our students but also provide them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to public service and nation-building.”