The Master programmes: policy-oriented, researchdriven, competence-based
A few key features of the Master programmes worth mentioning are their modular structure, their policy-oriented and research-driven character and their focus on competence-based learning.
The three Master programmes all have a similar structure, each consisting of four modules. Module I provides an overview of theories of development and introduces students to the state of the art in research methods and techniques. Modules II and III are highly interactive, research-driven education packages, while in Module IV, students carry out an individual research project under the guidance of a supervisor. Modules are taught jointly by different staff members, leading to strong inter-module cooperation and a reduction in overlapping input. The diverse backgrounds of the staff members within one module also trigger a multidisciplinary approach.
The modular structure also allows the hosting of external guest lecturers, who enrich the Master programmes with their specific expertise, while being embedded in a module that is primarily driven by‘ in-house expertise’. In 2015 / 2016, the following guest lectures were organised within the Master programmes:
• Koen Sips( Point consulting group)
• Rosalind Eyben( Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex)
• Bram Buscher( Wageningen University)
• Peter Knorringa( International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam)
• Michelle Parleviet( CRIC, University of Copenhagen)
• Sinisa Vukovic( Radboud University Nijmegen’ s Centre for International Conflict Analysis and Management)
• Marie Gildemyn( Associate researcher IOB)
• Rogers Orock( University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg)
• Sara Van Belle( Institute of Tropical Medicine)
• Bart Criel( Institute of Tropical Medicine)
• Nina Wilén( ULB and associate researcher IOB)
• Robin Thiers( UGent)
• Jeroen Adam( UGent)
• Yvan Guichaoua( Kent University, Brussels campus)
• Tomas Hoch( University of Ostrava)
IOB students Cassandra Vet and Mohua Rouf during their stay in Nicaragua for the mobility window( see box p. 30)
IOB master students getting to know each other at the Kick-off weekend
Some of these guest lectures were live-streamed via the internet so that our alumni could also benefit from the insights and discussions. Our Master programmes are all highly research-driven and policy-oriented. Training at IOB incorporates the latest
IOB master students during their trip to Cologne
Annual report 2015 • 23