A well-designed study of public policy can equip students with understanding of issues confronting society, economy and nation
Why would 2030 be special? I posed this question to students at a management training institute while speaking on the subject Nation building: We have promises to keep. They did not have much to say.
I posed another question to a bunch of students with a management (finance) degree at a job interview committee: “Do you have an idea about the twin balance sheet problem?”
Most of them drew a blank. This disconnect makes me wonder if the scope of business management curriculum could be enlarged with inclusion of subjects on public policy.
The world is gradually shifting towards knowledge-based economies and societies. This has naturally positioned knowledge at the heart of contemporary public policy-making. Collaborations and partnerships take shape all around, leading to interactions across multiple sectors such as academia, industries, startups, non-profits and governments.
On one hand, it is important for the young management graduates and professionals in such dynamic, collaborative and symbiotic ecosystem to understand the linkages between management discipline; on the other, they need to understand how public sphere has shaped up in recent times.
Sensitising students on public policy, public affairs, governance, etc early during their management studies will help them grasp the nuances of policy issues and address this disconnect.
Public policy subjects ideally focus on different social, economic and political issues. Sound understanding of topics such as human development, sustainability, economic issues, social and environmental challenges etc, would broaden a student’s worldview.
Knowledge of government resources, databases and reports of the Reserve Bank of India, the finance commission, economic surveys, think tank (like Niti Aayog) reports / indices can provide much-needed intellectual depth and perspective.
The inclusion in syllabus of international reports and reports of United Nations agencies, World Bank, World Economic Forum, etc on the state of education, health, inequality, gender issues and climate change will equip students with a holistic understanding of major challenges confronting people, communities and countries.
Public policy is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in its intellectual, pedagogical and practical approaches. It can enrich students in multiple ways:
Public issues are issues of the humanity. Even in high-tech driven businesses, there are expectations to include human system needs in decision-making processes.
So, to flourish as ignited minds, management students must be aware of the major challenges facing the public all its forms.
Today’s world needs a new generation of leaders who are driven to find the best possible solutions to the society’s existing and emerging challenges, showcasing a blend of head, heart and hands.
By sensitising the young minds and providing them insights on major public issues, management institutes can help produce solution-oriented, progressive and conscientious professionals and leaders.
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