Education for development policy and management: impacts on individual and organizational capacity-building

Johnson, Hazel and Thomas, Alan (2003). Education for development policy and management: impacts on individual and organizational capacity-building. Not Set, UK.

URL: http://www.research4development.info/projectsAndPr...

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of postgraduate programmes in Development Policy and Management (DPAM) on individual students and on the organizations in which they work. Such programmes have the potential to enhance the capacities of individuals working in a range of organizations directed to poverty reduction, development and wealth creation, from development NGOs to commercial enterprises.

The study focused on four programmes in DPAM, three in Southern Africa and one in the UK with a global reach. Three were distance learning programmes and one was block release. All the programmes were informed by an interactive approach and a reflective practitioner philosophy in which course content informs practice and students’ experience is brought to bear on their understandings and use of course content. The study used a survey of students and their line managers (or colleagues who knew their work well), and case studies of students and organizations known to have built capacity and/or brought about changes as a result of students being on a programme. The purpose of the case studies was not simply to corroborate or deepen the survey evidence, but to investigate how capacity-building and change comes about.

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