A new master¡¯s degree that will be offered by 12 universities across Africa aims to develop the continent¡¯s next generation of public policy leaders.

The master¡¯s in research and public policy will give aspiring and practising development professionals an understanding of the common challenges confronting countries across the continent, such as education, poverty and HIV/Aids, while training them in global social policy concepts.

The qualification, which was set to be officially launched on 12 August in Nairobi, Kenya, has been developed by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research and the partner institutions.

Tade Aina, executive director of the partnership, said: ¡°We are developing the next generation of public policy leaders in Africa.¡±

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Already, 150 students have enrolled on the two-year, full-time course, which includes a placement in a policy or research institution.

The 12 partner universities have agreed to deliver the course using a common curriculum, with the hope that graduates will be prepared for careers in government, civil society organisations and development agencies.

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The founder institutions include the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Lagos, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Jos and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Ibadan, all in Nigeria. The course will also be offered by Maseno 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ and Egerton 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ (both in Kenya); the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Dar es Salaam and Mzumbe 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ (both in Tanzania); and?Uganda Christian 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ and Uganda Martyrs 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ (both in Uganda).?Other providers include the universities of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Botswana.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com