MICROFINANCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The microfinance industry has been considered as an innovative financial structure for the poor and low income entrepreneurs. It has become a financial model that would address both the social and economic problems. Since it was introduced in early 70’s, much as been transformed. Today, the microfinance industry offers not only savings and credits but multi products and services to growing numbers of clientele. It is considered as a global industry involving millions of people and large number of institutions to include governments, cooperatives, non-government and other financial intermediaries. Many tools were likewise introduced to analyze the performance of the program and its sustainability. This course is designed to raise students’ awareness and understanding of the microfinance industry. They will explore the area on how microfinance, as a financial model evolved, which will include discussion on the theories and concepts and practices. It will discuss various cases of the microfinance situations in Southeast Asia, identify challenges and prospects. To provide students a deeper understanding of the microfinance operation, case analysis will be done by the students. .

The course is designed to develop the students’ understanding of microfinance. The students will be exposed to the microfinance practices by studying the experiences, challenges and prospects of the different implementers in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, They will be able to acquire some techniques in evaluating performance of microfinance in the aspects of financial and social. The course will consist of three parts: Part I-Theories and Concepts and Practices Part II-Microfinance in Southeast Asia Part III-Financial and social impact methodologies

Attendance and attitude: Your attendance is expected at all classes. Attendance will be checked, in compliance with the KMU policy. Case Study Presentation. Students will be assigned to present real cases of microfinance operation which will showcase the formation and microfinance operations of the organization with the end in view of gathering lessors of actual practices. Case problems and discussion. This will provide the students opportunity to understand problems encountered by microfinance institutions in managing and operating their programs and services and other factors which affected the sustainability of the organization. Final project. Students are required conduct research about in any areas in relation to microfinance and will present the result through posters. A panel of evaluators will review the result. Notation. The syllabus is a plan of action for this semester and is subject to change. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications with reasonable notification to the students.

Microfinance has become a financial model that would address both the social and economic problems of the society. Today, the microfinance industry offers divers products and services to growing numbers of clientele. It is considered as a global industry involving millions of people and large number of institutions to include governments, cooperatives, non-government and other financial intermediaries. Many tools were likewise introduced to analyze the performance of the program and its sustainability. Learning the microfinance is an opportunity to prepare them for the real financing arena.