DAAD opens Centres of Excellence in Africa

26 Mar 2009

The Centres of Excellence are being set up by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The initiative has the financial backing of Germany's Federal Foreign Office within the scope of its "Aktion Afrika" (Africa campaign). The Centres of Excellence in Ghana, Tanzania, Congo, Namibia, and South Africa are intended to enable budding executives to attend African universities at international level, preparing them for their tasks in, and serving, Africa.

DAAD opens Centres of Excellence in Africa

The Centre of Excellence at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, opening 2 April will offer a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in the departments Development Research and Criminal Justice respectively. These courses will be conducted in co-operation with the Faculty of Law of the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Institute for Development Research and Development Policy of the Ruhr University of Bochum.

Both courses of study are believed to have a particular relevance for the African continent. Graduates of the department for Development Research are to learn how to master the region's economic, social, and political challenges arising within the development process. The course of studies in Criminal Justice is deemed just as important. A functioning criminal justice system is indispensable for the development of African countries when dealing with white-collar crime or coming to terms with past injustices.

The linking of development policy issues and legal topics in the Centre of Excellence provides joint research opportunities. In addition, networking with the other four Centres of Excellence is intended to provide synergy effects. Regular meetings between the representatives of all centres will enable an exchange of experience and a scientific discussion of common topics. In addition to Law and Development Research, the other Centres of Excellence are focused on Health Sciences, Micro-Financing, and Logistics.

For more details visit http://www.daad.de/fachzentren-afrika/de/index.html.