20 hours ago
People's pedagogy Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
With fieldwork, diversity and cutting-edge research, TISS leads the way in creating socially conscious, impact-driven professionals
TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES , Mumbai
5 REASONS WHY IT IS THE BEST Offering a curriculum revised to reflect changing times, needs and societal concerns. After eight decades of running a lauded master's programme, TISS finally added a four-year bachelor's programme last year. Known for giving equal weight to people and practical skills, the institute has recently prioritised the research component by allotting it additional credits.
Learning from an experienced faculty: Thirty-seven professors have spent over two decades teaching and also possess field experience. Last year alone, they collectively published 52 articles in international journals and 40 in national journals, in addition to authoring six books. The pedagogy is designed not just to make lessons engaging but also to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
Being on the TISS campus is like being part of a mini India. Of the 251 students admitted last year, 190 came from outside Maharashtra. The diverse environment exposes students to varied cultures and traditions, with classmates from across caste, class and gender lines.
To imbibe the key facets of social work, which include compassion, integrity, intervention and service, students need to be active in the field. Currently, TISS SoSW Mumbai has 300 fieldwork partners across the country—from state government departments and civil society organisations to non-governmental organisations and communities—working to make an impact.
TISS holds credence among various stakeholders, including the government and judiciary. The Bombay High Court recently praised its report on the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (South), which examined the impact on fisherfolk, while its professor, Dr Pekham Basu, was appointed to a Supreme Court committee investigating a POCSO-related matter. Additionally, its Field Action Projects, such as the Special Cell for Women initiative, run in collaboration with the Mumbai Police, place and train social workers within the police system to provide psychosocial-legal support to women facing violence. The model has since been replicated in several states.
