Masters
on Integrated Drylands Management

NOW
OPEN

Program
Overview

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:
 

1. A short
   intensive course
2. 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.

2016-2017 Course Brochure

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 MSWord 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.

Where to Send Your Application

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

Questions