Patna: The Centre for Public Policy at Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), in collaboration with the Public Finance Research Cluster of Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, has concluded a joint certificate programme on public finance, public policy and accountable institutions. The programme ended with a certificate award ceremony held at the CIMP campus on July 19.
Conducted from July 4 to July 9 with the support of NITI Aayog, the 36-contact-hour programme brought together participants for academic sessions on public finance, governance, fiscal management, public policy and institutional accountability, according to the organisers.
Joint Centre Launched
The programme also marked the launch of the CIMP–Georgia State University Joint Center for Public Finance and Public Policy, which CIMP described as the first international joint centre in India dedicated to public finance and public policy.
According to the institute, the centre will provide a platform for collaborative research, executive education, policy dialogue and capacity building. Officials said future initiatives are expected to focus on policy evaluation, impact assessment, public financial management, governance, leadership development, evidence-based policymaking, and the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence in public policy.
Focus On International Academic Collaboration
Opening the ceremony, CIMP Director Rana Singh said international academic partnerships can play an important role in strengthening public policy education and enhancing institutional capacity.
Providing an overview of the programme, Debabrata Samanta, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Centre for Public Policy at CIMP, said the curriculum was designed in line with international academic standards. He said the programme combined interdisciplinary learning with practical approaches to equip participants with analytical skills relevant to governance and policymaking across different contexts.
According to Samanta, the academic schedule included lectures, interactive sessions and competitions aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of contemporary public policy and public finance.
Speakers Highlight Evidence-Based Policymaking
Delivering the keynote address, Charles R. Hankla of Georgia State University spoke about the importance of international academic collaboration in addressing contemporary public policy challenges. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the programme in public service and policymaking.
The event’s chief guest, N. Vijayalakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar’s Planning and Development Department, congratulated the participants and underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking, institutional accountability and continuous capacity building for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Participants also shared feedback on the programme, describing it as academically rigorous and highlighting opportunities to interact with faculty members and practitioners from different fields.
Certificates Awarded To Participants
A total of 29 participants received joint certificates issued by Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna and Georgia State University after successfully completing the programme.
The organisers also presented certificates of recognition to resource persons, support staff and volunteers in acknowledgement of their contributions to the programme’s conduct.
What Comes Next?
According to CIMP, the joint certificate programme is the first in a broader series of collaborative academic initiatives planned under the newly established joint centre. Future programmes are expected to expand into specialised areas including policy evaluation, public financial management, governance, leadership, and the application of artificial intelligence and data analytics in public policy.
