ICED - Southeast Asia Location

Southeast Asia Program Chair: Dr. Puneetha Palakurthi

In response to the demand from development practitioners for flexible program delivery, the SCED and its Philippine partners will provide academic programs, short-term professional development programs and online certificate programs beginning in July.

Formed in 1987, The Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) is an innovative leader in the microfinance industry. It is one of the first Grameen-replication programs in the world.

Through its research, CARD has learned that it takes more than financial support to eradicate poverty — that poor people need a market for their produce, a well-made structure they can call home, proper education for their children and assistance with personal finance. To deliver these services, CARD has created five mutually reinforcing institutions entitled CARD-MRI. This includes but is not limited to CARD Bank in 1997, CARD MBA, a micro insurance firm in 1999, CMDI, a development institute in 2005 and CARD BDS, a business development center in 2006.

The Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI) is pioneering an open learning school in the Philippines, recognized and accredited by the Commission on Higher Education — Philippines. The SAIDI School of OD embraces previous work experience of the learner and evaluates students by a portfolio assessment, demonstrating planned changed leadership initiatives. The curriculum is based on a blended approach of in-class and online learning. It is designed for students who are working professionals, occupying leadership positions in education, government and other community-based organizations. In this program, students learn to apply concepts and principles of organization development in their respective workplaces.

M.S. International Community Economic Development — Short Intensive Master’s Program (SIP — Philippines Center)
The SCED’s fully accredited 13-month intensive master’s degree program requires students spend two seven week in-class sessions in the Philippines; between these two sessions students take courses online and carry out a project in their home communities. Each student is expected to design, implement and evaluate a CED project and submit a final thesis related to that project.

M.A. Organization Development
SAIDI School of OD currently offers a Master of Arts in Organization Development with a Specialization in Microfinance Management. This is a one year, executive program for managers and decision makers who wish to rethink the strategies for advancing their respective organizational goals.

Specialization in Microfinance (MF)
Students enrolled in the MS program or MA-OD degree can take elective courses in microfinance taught by expert faculty from CARD-MRI Development Institute. This specialization consists of seven elective credits in microfinance theory and strategic management. The specialization in microfinance management courses will be offered at the CARD-CMDI facility in Bay, Laguna during the six-and-a-half-week session.