New Delhi, Jun 27 (KNN)  In an effort to raise public understanding of economic problems facing governments around the world, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to join an online university network to offer finance courses, which will be available to students around the world for free.

“This first step into the world of higher education will include the topical subject of debt,” said a BBC report.

The courses will be offered in partnership with edX online university platform that has been set up by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A global organisation, responsible for promoting financial stability, IMF will offer two courses in financial policy, aimed initially at government officials, with plans to make this open to the public next year.

Students around the world can avail of individual courses in the online university project, also called massive open online courses (MOOCs).

The online courses are being offered in the wake of the financial crisis which has awakened interest in how public finances are run.  Also, it would help people understand the reason for problems such as unemployment.

Currently, the IMF has training programmes for central bankers and finance ministry officials.  This information will now be available to all who have an internet connection, aiming to improve public education on finances.

Of the courses which will include online questions, discussion forums and more, according to the BBC report, they will be designed to give the public an insight into the issues facing their governments' finance ministers. 

Also students will be able to share problems and receive advice, at the end of which they would get a certificate.  (KNN)