Programme

PGP

Term

V

Academic Year

2021-22

Course title

Microfinance Management

Area

Finance and Accounting

Credits

1.25

Instructor(s)

Prof. Smita Premchander (VF)

Course Description & Objectives

Objectives: The course on Microfinance is intended to give an exposure to the students on the theoretical underpinnings and practice of Microfinance. It will cover the different models of microfinance delivery, in India and refer to models in Bangladesh, and Haiti. It will highlight the theoretical and intended impact of microfinance, the research and ground realities. The course will discuss historical developments as well as some key contemporary issues that the sector faces: development and commercial objectives, institutional forms and their implications, aspects and evidence on impacts, gender issues in microfinance and livelihoods, roles of key players in sector development, and the current policy environment relating to microfinance. This course applies critical management thinking to microfinance sector, and calls for significant reading and literature analysis.

Pedagogy

The course would be based on online lecture discussions using existing and emerging literature in India and internationally, with case studies used as illustrations to highlight practice. Students are encouraged to participate in the class and every lecture include active participation of students. For the literature review, the students are expected to do readings in addition to the course outline, and make presentations during and at the end of the course. The presentations will be embedded in the topics and the participants will be given sufficient notice. The course will also include online sessions by practitioners (NGOs, government and MFI management) and women members of SHGs, federations and cooperatives, as a substitute to a field visit to SHGs and discussions with women leaders and members of an MFI.