Mumbai: MU's Rs 4-lakh course seeks top execs as students

Mumbai University (MU) is all set to launch the most-expensive post-graduation degree in the self-financed category — MA in Leadership Sciences. Apparently, it is the only skill development course in India that offers a Masters degree

Mumbai University (MU) is all set to launch the most-expensive post-graduation degree in the self-financed category — MA in Leadership Sciences. Apparently, it is the only skill development course in India that offers a Masters degree.

Pocket pinch
The University would be charging applicants R2 lakh per annum for this two-year course and only 60 seats will be allotted for the same. MU officials said they only want students who have successfully cleared their Indian Administrative Services exams, have cushy jobs in MNCs and want to enhance their skills.

Subramaniam Pillai, course coordinator for this degree, explained, “This is Vice-Chancellor Dr Sanjay Deshmukh’s dream project. It’s going to be a premium-level course. We want to create leaders, so we won’t be looking at job seekers, but job providers.”

Feasibility
Kiran Kumar (29), deputy director of the DRI, believes the course may benefit aspiring leaders of the corporate world.

“For government officers like us, there’s already a system at place where we can opt for a mid-career training programme and apply to IIMs and other premium colleges. But corporate employees, who think they can manage both work and studies, could surely aim for this MU course.”

Although the date of commencement of the course hasn’t been finalised, it is expected to begin in the first or second week of August.

Pillai said, “Centuries ago, Kautilya’s Arthashastra offered lessons on leadership. Given the high demand for leaders in the country, I think it’s the best time to start such a programme.”

Vedanta, Vidur Niti
Incidentally, the curriculum will include Indian philosophy, yoga, Vedanta, Sankhya, Buddhism, Jainism, Vidur Niti, Shukra Niti and Bhishma Niti. But why must the syllabus be religion-driven? “A person who’s willing to learn should not be discriminated according to religion. But yes, every leader should be aware of the country’s roots. So, it’s more of a country-driven curriculum than a religious one.”

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