Master’s Degree Programme on Integrated Drylands Management
The Joint Master’s Degree (MSc) Programme on Integrated Drylands Management brings together different expertise and scientific resources of the partner institutes to build advanced human capital, and generate and adapt global knowledge for local solutions in drylands. The programme provides young professionals and scientists an international perspective on integrated resources management approaches in drylands and allows them to gain practical experience in different dryland countries. Throughout the programme, a strong emphasis will be placed on multidisciplinary approaches.
The MSc Programme will offer two components:
- A short intensive course
- Field research leading to the development of a Master’s thesis.
The three-week course and field work will focus on the international dimension of dryland management and a range of research methods, tools and approaches. An international team of selected experts from all partners and their networks will provide a balanced mix of lectures and seminars.
The six-month field and laboratory research will be conducted under the supervision of one of the programme partners. Upon completion of the MSc Programme, students will receive a Master’s Degree from their home university and a certificate from UNU.
Typically, the graduates from the MSc Programme serve in government departments and agencies (e.g. those dealing with agriculture, forestry, natural resources management, and combating desertification), teaching positions in institutions of higher learning, research institutions and doctoral research programmes.
Admission Requirements
Admission is based on the following criteria:
• Applicants must already be registered in a Master’s degree programme at one of the Programme partner institutes and have completed their basic course work.
• Applicants registered in a Master’s programme at an accredited university outside the Programme partners may be eligible to apply if they have completed their basic coursework, and can establish a link with a Programme partners for their field research and thesis work which will be
undertaken jointly with their current supervisor. Such applicants should contact the interested Programme partner institute directly to explore options and arrangements.
• Applicants must demonstrate a proved competence in relevant research methodologies, laboratory and computer skills.
• Applicants must demonstrate proof of proficiency in English (oral and written).
• Applicants must submit a research proposal of 5 pages, whose priority aligns with that of programme partner who will host the proposed research.
• Working experience in dryland management is desirable.
Field Research and Dissertation
As part of their application, students need to submit a research proposal and two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from their research supervisor, to the MSc Programme Committee for approval.
The student will need to demonstrate that the proposed field research involves in-situ field work and gives due consideration to community involvement. Partners will provide limited funds for students to carry out field research by involving them in ongoing research programmes.
In addition to a principal supervisor from their home university, the MSc Programme student will have an associate supervisor from the partner institute that will host his or her field research work.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Tuition fee is US $6000, including costs of course delivery, supervision, and examination. The fee does not include travel costs between the country of the student’s origin and locations of the MSc Programme partners, and costs of living at the MSc Programme partners. Information on local food, accommodation, health insurance, and other logistical matters will be available from MSc Programme partners. The tuition fee will be waived for students who are Fellowship recipients.
A limited number of Fellowships will be provided to qualified candidates from developing countries on a competitive basis. These fellowships will cover the travel costs between the country of origin and IRA, CAREERI, ICARDA, and TU, as needed. Japanese students may only apply for TU fellowships.
During the course work in 2016, IRA will house the students with full boarding and lodging in a suitable accommodation in Médenine, Tunisia. During laboratory research work, TU will provide non-Japanese students with allowance for accommodation and meals in Tottori, Japan.
*No financial provisions, logistical assistance or housing facilities will be made available for family members of participants.
How to Apply
The following supporting documents* must be submitted together with the completed and signed 2015-2016 application form (downloadable in MS Word or a PDF).
- For applicants registered with a Programme partner, a letter of nomination from your supervisor/university where you are registered certifying completion of basic course work
- For applicants registered at an accredited university outside the Programme partners, a letter of nomination from your supervisor university where you are registered certifying completion of basic course work and clarifying the link between your university and one of the MSc Programme partners for joint supervision of research and thesis work
- A certified copy of academic transcripts for each institution attended
- An original, detailed MSc research proposal of 5 pages clearly outlining the problem statement, literature review, research question, methodology, expected results, workplan, and timetable
- Two (2) original supporting letters of reference, one (1) of which must be from your current supervisor
- Evidence of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL score, English certificate, etc.), where English is not your first language
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must have their last name and course name that they are applying for in the SUBJECT LINE
*Documents which are not originally in English must be accompanied by an official English translation.
The deadline for application submissions is June 30, 2016.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please send your fully completed application form and supporting materials by email, fax, or post marked to:
Dr Nidhi Nagabhatla
MSc Programme Committee
United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
175 Longwood Rd. South, Suite 204
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 0A1 Canada
Fax: +1 905 667 5510
Email: contact.inweh.@unu.edu
The Joint Master’s Degree (MSc) Programme on
Integrated Drylands Management is offered jointly through the partnership between the United Nations University (UNU), Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) [Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT)], Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Tottori University (TU), the Global Mechanism (GM) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) – Mediterranean Agronomic Institute – Bari
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://inweh.unu.edu/msc-drylands/