Rishihood University introduces India’s First Master’s in Public Leadership Program

New Delhi: Rishihood University, with a vision to reimagine higher education in India for the next 100 years, today announced the launch of India’s first Master of Arts in Public Leadership (MAPL). Initiated by Rashtram School of Public Leadership at Rishihood University, the MAPL is a residential program and will be housed in the 25-acre Rishihood University Campus, in Sonipat, Delhi NCR.

Conceptualized by Vision India Foundation (VIF), a Delhi-based public policy organization, the program has been designed for students who wish to pursue research-oriented careers in governance, academia, think-tanks, or consulting. In its five years of operations, VIF has curated innovative learning programs in policymaking and governance, thereby training 1500+ students and professionals from more than 180 districts in India.

Through interdisciplinary coursework and projects, MAPL students will study public issues and utilise India’s civilizational wisdom to design solutions for the world’s contemporary challenges. Applications are open till 30th May 2020. All applications are currently being accepted online and students may apply by visiting https://rashtram.org/apply-for-ma-pl/. The program is slated to commence from early September 2020 onwards.

Learners will be thoroughly vetted and tested via a rigorous screening process that includes essays, and interviews before being enrolled for this program. The graduates applying for the program also gets an option of research grants and incubation.

Training future public leaders is an elaborate responsibility and the guidance of current accomplished leaders is monumental to this effort. Distinguished multi-disciplinary experts including former MPs, diplomats, career academicians, bureaucrats, and Padma Shri winning social workers are faculty members. Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, parliamentarians P.D. Rai and Baijayant Jay Panda, Padma Shri Awardees Mahesh Sharma and Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, Dr. Mukul Asher (National University of Singapore), Dr Mala Kapadia, Dr. K Ramasubramanian (IIT Bombay), & Dr. R Balasubramaniam (SVYM) are a few names supporting the initiative.

Speaking at the launch, Shobhit Mathur, the dean of the school, said, “It is important we recognize the potential in our youth and enable them to make a thought-driven contribution to public life. The program emphasizes a public leadership journey at all three levels, i.e. individual (leading self, building integrity of thought and action), institutional (producing thought and research, guiding institutions), and societal (engaging citizens).”