The 21st century has become the world of complex challenges in development making ever greater demands to professionals working from policy planning to implementation level in the development sector. Meeting these challenges demands for creative development professionals who can apply and integrate critical thinking and practical experiences from a wide range of perspectives and can be innovative in seeking meaningful solutions. The MPhil in Education (Specialization in Development Studies), henceforth MPhil in Development Studies is the outcome to cater to the needs of this complex society in specific to the development sector.

The MPhil in Development Studies began in 2005 which aims to prepare professionals who could contribute to the development sector at local, national, and global levels. The students in the program will have a deep understanding of development theories and acquire a wide knowledge of fundamental policy trends in education and development worldwide. The program aims to meet the demands of the local and national needs of development professionals as well as the international market by training and educating individuals. The students will be able to work as independent researchers, trainers, and educators in international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, higher education institutions, and related areas. The program aims to equip students with the analytical and practical skills they need to engage critically in development issues and debates from an interdisciplinary perspective, and to work across the intersections of development policy, research and practice.

The objective of the program thus is to enable students to engage in social transformation processes utilizing research-based knowledge and through critical and comparative analysis and interpretation of social, cultural, economic, and political contexts that influence development policy and practice at the local, national and global level. It is expected that such capability would give the students a unique strength to come up with an innovative approach to address the concerns of development and education.