The Executive Master in Development Policies and Practices (DPP) starts its second edition and introduces the programme’s fifth regional centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Under the leadership of its new director, Alexandre Freire Dormeier, the Executive Master in Development Policies and Practices (DPP) started its second edition in August 2013 with a record number of 61 participants coming from 23 countries, mainly from Africa, Latin America and Asia. Thanks to the increased financial support of the SDC (Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency), the main sponsor of the programme, those in Central Asia were able to participate in the training at our new local partner institution in Almaty, KIMEP University. As part of the programme design, participants integrate into their regional groups during the programme’s first module, organized jointly by the Institute and its regional partners, which also include Yam Pukri in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) in Accra (Ghana), the Centro de Estudios y Promoción del Desarrollo (desco) in Lima (Peru), and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT-VN) in Hanoi (Vietnam).
The opening ceremonies took place concurrently in the various regional centres on July 29, with a special inauguration for the new programme on August 5 at KIMEP University. In Hanoi and Ouagadougou, the occasion was marked by two local representatives of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC), Mr. Samuel Waelty, Country Director for Vietnam, and Ms. Nathalie Nikiema, programme coordinator at the SDC in Ouagadougou, who is a recent programe alumna (2013). Both officials stressed the ongoing interest of the SDC, citing the bonds of trust that unite the SDC and the Institute as critical factors for the DPP programme’s success and further sustainability. They were joined by other fellow regional DPP alumni who explained how the training has been instrumental in their career development and welcomed the flexibility of the new formula, which better suits the needs of working professionals In Accra, the English-speaking group was welcomed by Daniel Fino, former director of the DPP programme Finally, the Latin American ceremony was launched in festive atmosphere of the National Day of Peru, and Professor Jean-Michel Servet provided remarks for the doubly auspicious occasion and gave a presentation on interdisciplinarity and development.
The DPP programme offers various courses on Development Policies, Methods, Strategic Management and Regional issues. Participants pursue an initial residency module (offered in-region), followed by an applied research thesis at work and culminating with a final joint module in Switzerland. Renowned professors from Switzerland and the respective regions will bring their expertise on relevant development issues, complemented by local faculty and representatives from the public and private sector, civil society, international organizations and NGOs. For more information, visit our website, as applications for the DPP 2014-2015 will open soon!