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Collaborative MSc program in Development and Natural Resource Economics
Lise ThoenThis program aims to integrate advanced courses in economic theory and methodology with applied policy analysis, focusing on important development issues.
The Collaborative MSc program in Development and Natural Resource Economics (DNRE) is a joint effort involving Makerere University in Uganda, Hawassa University and Mekelle University in Ethiopia, University of Malawi, Bunda College, in Malawi and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) in Norway. The programme is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) for the period 2007 to 2010.
Girl from Eritrea
Photo: Sitaul, Bishal
Policies in developing countries are often poorly integrated, contradictory, and even counter-productive. This is largely due to lack of professional expertise required in the policy formulation process. This is also often biased against involvement of disadvantaged groups such as women. This program responds to the need to develop policy oriented economists who are able to integrate and apply knowledge from resource-, environmental-, agricultural-, and development economics.
There are certainly people with this kind of competencies in the region, but they are far too few to address the many challenges faced. This is also reflected in the labor market, where graduates with such qualifications are in high demand.
Program structure
The MSc program will be conducted in collaboration between the five partner universities. The first semester is taught by all of the five partner universities for the students from their respective countries. The second semester and fieldwork will take place on a rotational basis at one of the partner universities in the South. The first batch of students (admitted in 2007) will have their second semester at Makerere University, Uganda, and the related fieldwork taking place in Uganda. The third batch of students (admitted in 2009) will have the second semester at Mekelle Universtity, and the related fieldwork taking place in Ethiopia.
Summer at the UMB campus
Photo: Gro Elden
The joint fieldwork between the second and third semester will give the students first hand experience in doing fieldwork and research in a developing country. The collected data will be the basis for the writing of the MSc-thesis.
Course structure
The program includes courses within the following fields of economics:
- Microeconomics
- Econometrics
- Environment and Resource Economics
- Research Methods and Proposal Development
- Development Microeconomics
- Issues in Development and resource economics
- Macroeconomics
- Decision modeling
- Market analysis
- Advanced Development Economics
- International Economics
- Masters Thesis
NOMA scholarships
There are a total of 11 scholarships available for each batch of students. These scholarships are distributed between the participating universities.
Master in Dev. and Natural Resource Economics
Photo: Tor Arve Benjaminsen
- the costs of living (food and lodging)
- cost of travel between home country and foreign university according to agreed costs and arrangements
- cost of health insurance
- visa costs when required
- field work expenses
Only applicants that are citizens of the Republic of Malawi, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia or the Republic of Uganda can apply for NOMA scholarships. The applicants do not need to have any formal connection to, or have their previous education from any of the partner universities.
Qualification requirements for the NOMA scholarships
Selection of students will be on a competitive basis and be based on the following criteria and requirements:
a) Undergraduate or bachelor’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, statistics, mathematics or equivalent.
b) Relevant professional experience after the bachelors degree
c) Leave of absence from job in home country
d) Statement of purpose
e) Proficiency in English
Application and processing
For 2009 the application deadline is April 1st. The application must be post-stamped by this date.
Each partner in Africa will evaluate the applications and determine which of these satisfy minimal requirements for being accepted as non-degree students at the university. Out of those qualified, the university will provide UMB with a short-list of applicants numbering at least twice as many as the quota for the particular university. The final selection of students is made by UMB. Two copies of the application form must be sent directly to UMB by the student.
Further information about the application procedures and requirements can be found on the application form.
Self financed students
Additional students can be included in the program provided that they are qualified and have funding for the additional costs that are involved. These costs include living expenses, travel, medical insurance, fees, teaching material and tuition. Tuition fees for study semesters in the African universities will be in accordance with the normal tuition fees determined by these universities themselves. For the final year study at UMB the tuition is subsidised by the Norwegian government, but candidates must be able to document funding for living expenses at the level determined by the Norwegian immigration authorities (NOK 80 000 for one year).
Tårnbygningen at UMB
Photo: Even Bratberg
The application form for self financed students can be found here.
The application form for NOMA Scholarships
Published: 02.02.07
Updated: 06.03.09
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UMB School of Economics and Business
P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Ås, Norway
Tel: +47 6496 5700 | Fax: +47 6496 5701 | E-mail: ior(at)umb.no
Visiting address: Tårnbygningen (Map UMB building no.31)
Tel: +47 6496 5700 | Fax: +47 6496 5701 | E-mail: ior(at)umb.no
Visiting address: Tårnbygningen (Map UMB building no.31)