Integrated Course on Microfinance For Development
2nd to 21st February 2009

The Indian School of Microfinance for Women, believes that microfinance is not only about finance, it is also a means of poverty alleviation. This cannot be accomplished unless microfinance is viewed as a holistic intervention where, economic and social parameters, issues and outcomes are seen in an integrated perspective. It is with this ideology that the three weeks residential Integrated Course in Microfinance for Development is designed. The goal of the MFD course is to provide conceptual clarity and contextual understanding of the microfinance sector. This course is open for development professionals, microfinance practitioners and experts in the sector to share their invaluable experience and giving right inputs to the students in building their perspective.

The MFD course was inaugurated on 2nd February 2009 by Smt. Elaben Bhatt, Chairperson, Indian School of Microfinance for Women and the founder of SEWA.  It witnessed participants who were essentially development and microfinance practitioners across 7 States of India. The School invited stalwarts and practitioners from the microfinance sector like, Mr. Vijay Mahajan, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Das, Ms. Jayshreeben Vyas, Dr. D.S.K. Rao from the Microcredit Summit, Ms. Achala Savyasachi, Mr. D. Narendranath etc. to speak on different aspects of microfinance. The course ended on 21st February 2009 with the presentations by the participants focusing on different issues and challenges of the sector. The course was very well received and appreciated by the participants. The Valedictory function was attended by Smt. Elaben Bhatt, Ms. Jayshreeben Vyas, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Das, Mr. Ernest Paul, Prof. Manoj Mishra and special guest Mr. Palash Surana from Citi Bank Branch, Ahmedabad. The Director of the School, Dr. Joy Deshmukh-Ranadive announced that the School will be developing this course in vernacular language which will be offered later.