TISS offers 1-year fellowship for transpersons

The programme, offered in partnership with the Pernod Ricard India Foundation and the Collective Good Foundation (CGF), is said to be India’s first Academic-Corporate Fellowship Programme for the transgender community. It would provide training and exposure to transform them to take on managerial and higher up positions, said a statement on Wednesday.

The programme was conceived keeping in mind the inequitable access to education and skills, significant socio-economic and cultural barriers, high bar on minimum education and experience, lack of gender-neutral policies, systems and infrastructures, and low social acceptance that are forcing transpersons to take up menial jobs. At present, transpersons rarely make it to the executive and managerial positions, the statement pointed out.

Transpersons aged between 18 and 25 years can apply, and there is no higher education bar for the applicants. Applications for the one-year fellowship are open and will close on April 30. Applicants will be shortlisted through an online process followed by a round of group discussions and personal interviews. The first batch of 20 fellows is expected to begin on July 1.

The programme is divided into two phases: The first phase seeks to build theoretical acumen in business subjects and workplace skills through six months of immersive classroom training and project work led by the faculty and mentors at TISS. It will be followed by six months of hands-on workplace immersion through internships at leading corporates and non-profits to provide exposure and learning.

Each fellow will be offered a total stipend of Rs 2,40,000 along with Rs 96,000 for travel and stay during the year. Through both phases, fellows will be provided with constant emotional and psycho-social support, in addition to career guidance from experienced LGBTQIA+ professionals, and leaders from corporates, industry and non-profits.

Upon successful graduation, the fellows will be awarded completion certificates from TISS.

The fellows will also be assisted in charting out their future goals, and the programme will attempt to facilitate corporate placements for interested fellows in partnership with Pride Circle, the statement added.