International Master of Science in Rural Development

Unipi Team Leader: Francesco Paolo Di Iacovo, Department of Veterinary Science 

Objective
The main objective of the International Master of Science in Rural Development is to train European and non-European students, from developed, developing and transition countries to become specialists in Integrated Rural Development with a focus on socioeconomic and institutional aspects. It offers the opportunity to study international visions on Rural Development in their diversity of approaches and applications and to make comparative analyses of EU and non-EU Agricultural and Rural Development strategies and policies.Course duration Two years (120 ECTS)

Brief Description
The International Master of Science in Rural Development brings together scholars from leading universities and research institutes worldwide to expose students to different existing paradigms, visions, approaches and practices for the development of rural areas. By forming a network of Institutes of Excellence, this Master course builds on excellent competencies in the area of rural development, strong links with the professional world and extensive experience in joint training programs for foreign students. The course consists of a combination of general and specialised training modules in technical, economic and social sciences, divided over three study periods, a case study or internship of one month in the summer period and an individual master thesis research project in the fourth study period.

Career prospects
The programme prepares students to become trained experts in integrated rural development, specialized in agricultural economics, rural sociology, policy and decision making with a competitive advantage on the international job market. It enables students to become good communicators well equipped to perform a high level PhD and/or function in the (non-)governmental labour market as well as to form part of an international network of specialists in agronomics and rural development.

An international experience
The programme includes a high extent of student and scholar mobility, making it possible to learn from specialists within and outside of Europe. Students need to participate in training modules in at least three different host institutes and can add case work or field experiences in non-European countries to their curriculum. The main teaching language is English, but optional and elective courses are available in the languages of the host institutions. The programme includes language training and cultural exposure activities. A number of EU-funded scholarships are offered to the best qualified candidates.DiplomaThe diploma awarded is a joint international MSc degree in Rural Development.

Coordinator: UNIVERSITEIT GENT (Belgium) 

Other participants:

UNIVERSITA DI PISA (Italy)
SLOVENSKA POLNOHOSPODARSKA UNIVERZITA V NITRE (Slovakia)
HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN (Germany)
UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBA (Spain)
WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY (Netherlands)
THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES BENGALURU (India)
CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (China)
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA (South Africa)
EMPRESA PUBLICA DE SERVICIOS ESPOL - TECH EP (Ecuador)
NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (China)

Start date: 21-09-2015

End date: 20-09-2019

EU Grant: 1.326.000 €

Project website: https://www.imrd.ugent.be/