Experiential Learning Terms

ELT1: Sustainable Collectives Exploration (6 weeks) – 6 Credit

Collective Enterprises Exploration is a Six-week immersive module that introduces students to the philosophy, forms, and performance of collective enterprises such as cooperatives, producer companies, self-help group federations, and farmer collectives. The module adopts a systems perspective by examining member systems (participation, cost benefits, and collective identity), governance systems (member relations, member control and ownership), and operating systems (business models, performance measures and service delivery). Through case analyses, field exposure, and reflective discussions, students understand how alignment across these systems enables collective enterprises to achieve economic viability while delivering tangible benefits to members. Before the start, students prepare through EEE Exercise, Appreciative Inquiry, Focus Group Discussions, Structured Interviews, Participatory Research Methods. Students and Faculty then collaborate to co-publish encapsulated learning.

ELT 2 : Sustainable Collectives Management Practicum (11 weeks) – 12 Credits

The Collectives Management Practicum is a credit-bearing, supervised experiential learning module designed to develop observable and measurable managerial competencies through structured engagement with participatory institutions and collective enterprises such as cooperatives, producer organisations, and social enterprises. The practicum enables students to apply analytical reasoning for organisational and governance diagnosis, gain functional proficiency in marketing, operations, finance, human resource management, and development project management within collective settings, and develop managerial capabilities related to participatory planning, coordination, and collective decision-making.Through direct engagement with member-driven organisations, students strengthen behavioural competencies, including communication, teamwork, facilitation, and professionalism, which are critical in democratic and participatory contexts. Ethical competence is reinforced through responsible conduct, transparency, accountability, and sensitivity to member and stakeholder interests. The practicum further promotes integrative competence by fostering systems and design thinking and cross-functional synthesis across governance, enterprise operations, and member relations, equipping students to design holistic, inclusive, and implementable solutions for collective enterprises.