Micro-credential – Making Policy Work

Introduction

This six-week course introduces the fundamentals of public policy to tertiary students and early and mid-career professionals. It blends theoretical principles, international and Sri Lankan case studies, and application through discussion and exercises, to foster critical thinking and applied skills. Participants will leave with an enhanced ability to analyse, design, and evaluate public policies.

Course Overview

· Week 1: Introduction to Public Policy

· Week 2: Defining and Framing Public Policy Problems

· Week 3: Using Evidence in Policymaking

· Week 4: Political Economy and Institutions

· Week 5: Designing Policy for Implementation

· Week 6: Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

Assignments

· In-class quiz on content covered at the end of each lecture

· Policy brief: Students will choose a real public problem in Sri Lanka or another developing country, and draft a four-page brief which (a) outlines the problem, stakeholder interests, related evidence, and (b) suggests a simple policy intervention to address the problem including objectives, theory of change, key actors, sequencing, and risks.

To be developed each week, with final submission on Week 6.

Target Participants

· Students of political science, economics, governance, and related fields.

· Early and mid-career professionals working in or around the public sector including government officials, policy analysts, NGO and civil society staff).

· Private sector professionals involved in regulatory affairs or public-private partnerships.

Teaching Team

· Lead instructor: Sarani Jayawardena

· Guest speakers: Invited experts from government, development partners, academic and the private sector to lead discussion of specific theories or case studies (to be confirmed).

Delivery Format

· Duration: Six weeks

· Format: In-person or hybrid

· Structure: Interactive lecture (60 minutes) + Group discussions and applied exercises (60 minutes)