Demand for ethical leadership leads to new qualifications

MEDIA RELEASE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Demand for ethical leadership leads to new post-grad qualifications

Demand is growing in the community and social sector for effective and ethical leaders who can bring innovation and creativity to their roles, while maintaining the highest standards of social justice, equity and equality.

The University of Auckland is recognising this need with two proposed new qualifications for 2017, the Postgraduate Certificate and Master of Social and Community Leadership (subject to NZ Universities approval).

Both programmes connect to provide those working in the sector with the opportunity to grow their knowledge and expertise and have been developed to meet changing needs across the sector. These changes include the need for more innovative solutions to complex social problems and the idea of working creatively alongside other sectors such as politics, business and social services to make a difference.

As well, there is increasing demand from government for more accountability from the sector and organisations are monitoring and evaluating the impact of social and community programmes to ensure they are actually working.

Strong leadership is intrinsic to meeting these changes and making them work.

The Master’s programme spans 18 months and has been designed for flexibility with part-time options. Lectures and block courses will be held at the University’s Faculty of Education and Social Work based at the Epsom Campus and supported by online resources and independent study.

It will include a 90-point supervised research thesis – from field work settings for many students, and from home organisations for others. Core-components of the course will include learning-by-doing, case-studies and external guest lectures from those who are leading the way in social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Students will learn leadership skills across a broad range of key areas and gain a critical understanding of social change and innovation within a social justice and human rights framework. They will develop advanced skills and approaches in applied social research, sector leadership, programme design, implementation and evaluation.

It is hoped the programme will attract students from diverse backgrounds but who share a passion for social change, innovation and the desire to make the world a better place.

ends

© Scoop Media