Edu-leaders

Without waiting for its physical infrastructure to come up, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) at Guwahati has decided to start its functions from July this year. Currently, the institute plans to run two master’s programme. It will also start a five-year integrated master’s programme in social sciences in June in next year.

B.K. Handique, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, has released Rs81 crore for the project. The Government of Assam has already identified the land required for the construction of the institute.

The five-year integrated master’s programme in Social Sciences will have 120 students per year. Thus, there would be 600 students in five years. Students can specialise in inter-disciplinary areas like human resource management, social enterprises, public health consulting, education, social work and sustainable mountain development during the 4th and 5th years of the course.

TISS is also planning to take up several certificate and diploma programmes from August, 2011.

Out of a total of 220 seats, (120 for undergraduates and 100 for postgraduates) per year, 2/3rd will be reserved for students from the North Eastern states. Therefore, 146 seats will be available for the students from the region, i.e., 80 for undergraduates and 66 for postgraduates, Handique said.