"The aim of these courses is to sensitise people towards gender and gender-related issues. These courses have been launched for people from diverse fields who are already employed and want to take a short-term course to add to their skills. Students will learn from credible scientific knowledge structures," says Savita Singh, director, SOGDS, Ignou. The focus of the courses is on analysing the extent of gender-sensitivity of development interventions, conduct gender analysis, critically analyse gender differentials in selected development sectors, identify research designs and methodologies, discuss positive affirmative action in development planning and practice to promote gender equity and equality.

About 20 face-to-face classes will be conducted in a semester at the regional centres. After students complete the courses, they are required to intern or conduct field-based research.

"We help our students get internship with organisations such as Unesco, Unicef, UN Women, International Labour Organisation (ILO), etc. Students also have various job opportunities in the area of academics and research. They can become trainers, facilitators, supervisors, or join organisations working in the area of gender and development, government personnel, personnel working in banks/financial institutions. Students can also work with NGOs," says Singh.

Once students take admission, they will get the printed material along with a CD and all the information can be accessed at the e-gyan course website of Ignou. The prospectus can be obtained from the Student Registration Division (SRD) at Ignou's headquarters or at any of the regional centres. The forms are already available . Both courses have 25 seats each. No minimum eligibility criterion has been set as yet. "It will depend on the applications we receive," concludes Singh.