DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)

Background

Highly qualified local specialists who are interconnected with international partners play an important role in the development of their countries. They are pivotal for a better future with less poverty, more education, and better health for all.

However, many universities in developing countries are underfunded and overcrowded, and also the availability of top-level university lecturers and practice-oriented training programmes is often limited. It is against this backdrop that the DAAD created “development-related postgraduate courses” (EPOS), which are closely linked to practical experience. The programme supports rigorously selected graduates from developing countries with scholarships to study for an internationally competitive degree in Germany. These postgraduate courses have been going through discerning selection processes and have to reapply to the multi-institutional selection committee on a regular basis.

Programme objectives

Professionals and managerial staff from developing countries and emerging economies (list of eligible countries [pdf-file]) gain further qualifications on postgraduate courses to become future decision-makers and partners for Germany. This is the case for degree courses in all areas of expertise important for development and for solving global problems. It is expected that the graduates will be involved in international networks, working on solutions to national, regional, and global challenges. In this way, they will initiate and support development processes in the medium and long term.

In addition, capacity development in terms of supporting personnel and organisational development in partner countries will have sustainable development effects. For the participants of the programme, the postgraduate courses offer the necessary skills and qualifications to continually increase their performance and development capacity in their working environment. Graduates will act as disseminators passing on their experience and their newly acquired skills to others.

At the same time, the postgraduate courses contribute to the further internationalisation of higher education institutions in Germany. In addition, participants from partner countries will promote the transfer of knowledge from South to North by sharing their specific regional know-how with students, teachers and researchers, thus strengthening their competences in respect of the developing countries.

International and Development Economics - Master

• Focus on Development: MIDE allows students to gain expertise in the area of international trade relations with a strong focus on development.
• Focus on Economics: MIDE comprises several international and development economics modules as well as interdisciplinary courses selected on the basis of their relevance to current events and discourse in the development field.
• Excellent Education in the Heart of Europe: Considering the relatively low costs of living in the German capital, MIDE provides you with excellent educational value for money compared to other equally attractive study destinations in Europe. Study in cosmopolitan Berlin and experience its flair and vitality. The famous landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and many more will inspire you as much as the art and culture scene of the German capital.
• International Teamwork: With an average yearly intake of forty students, MIDE study groups are comprised of twenty-five or more different nationalities.
• Group Diversity: By addressing students from developed and developing countries, MIDE fosters a cohesive group experience and diversity among intake groups.
• Multicultural Awareness: MIDE strives to create a positive and inclusive environment, where students of all nationalities and ethnic or religious backgrounds can feel comfortable and welcome.
• High Employability with contributions to the achievement of the SDGs: 85% of MIDE graduates work in positions that allow contributions to the achievement of the SDGs. The most mentioned SDGs are SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

Results

The EPOS programme successfully supports specialists and managerial staff from developing countries. Since the programme was launched in 1987, more than 7,000 scholarships have been awarded, with about 50 per cent currently going to women. Well over 90 per cent of students complete their studies successfully and earn the academic degree they have worked for.

The results of a survey published in 2013 show that over 70 per cent of the graduates immediately return to their home countries or home regions after completing their studies. Some stay for doctorates or work in international organisations like the World Bank, GIZ, or Terre des Femmes. More than three quarters of the DAAD scholarship recipients stated that there even is a thematic link between their EPOS studies and their employment. In other words, the vast majority of EPOS alumni work in a professional environment where they can directly apply their acquired knowledge to issues of development cooperation while acting as disseminators at the same time.