IDEP
TRAINING PROGRAMMES
The United Nations
African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), established
in 1962, became operational in November 1963. It is situated in Dakar-Plateau,
rue 18 Juin (behind the National Assembly of the Republic of Senegal). The Institute
is an autonomous subsidiary organisation of the United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa (ECA), with English and French as the main languages of operations.
In accordance with
its mandate, IDEP has
always based the orientation and content of its work programmes on priorities
established by members states , particularly as expressed in the Lagos Plan
of Action, UN Development Programme for Africa and today, the New Partnership
for African Development (NEPAD).
By
virtue of its mandate, IDEP concentrates mainly on training. Every year, the
Institute trains at the post-graduate level African officials in decision-making
positions in the government ministries and other public and private institutions
of member States. Within a framework informed by development theories and emerging
global issues, the training aims at imparting innovative and strategic ways
of addressing development challenges. To this effect, training by high level
practioners and academics, is based on case studies, practical applications,
exchange of best practices, field visits and lectures.
ACADEMIC
PROGRAMMES
The
Training Programme of the Institute has three main components:
- Master
of Arts (M.A.) degree programme in Economic Policy and Management (18 months)
- Short term courses programme
(2-6 weeks each)
- Tailor
made
Training Workshops (at the request of Member States, Regional Economic Communities,
etc...)
General
Conditions for Admission into the Academic programmes
Generally, candidates are nationals
of African countries nominated by a government or non-governmental development
agencies. A selection committee reviews the candidates and those qualified
are notified to register.
The minimum academic qualifications
for candidates is a recognised Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in Economics
or related discipline. Candidates should preferably have a minimum of two
years experience in government or in non-governmental or inter-governmental
organizations and institutions dealing with development issues or implementation
of economic policies at the regional, national or sectoral level.
Application
Deadline
Candidates for admission into
IDEP's training activities must submit completed application forms at a stipulated
time before the beginning of the training activity in which they wish to
enrol.
SCHOLARSHIPS
According to the resolutions of
IDEP's Governing Council and the ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Development
and Planning, fellowships covering costs
of study which include allowances and other expenses can also be financed
by various bilateral and multilateral sponsoring agencies.
MA Degree Programme
Applicants are encouraged to
seek a variety of sources of funding which may include the following : their
own government, domestic sources, international organisations or institutions
supporting higher education or capacity building/strengthening such as the
UNDP, Commonwealth, Belgian Co-operation, French Co-operation, European Union.
IDEP also offers limited number
of scholarships.
Short
term courses programme
Generally,
IDEP is responsible for sourcing the required finance to execute this programme.
Hence almost all the participants are on IDEP's scholarship which covers roundtrip
ticket, perdiems and limited medical expenses.
Tailor
made courses
Generally,
the requesting government or institution incurs the cost of executing the
programme.
FACULTY
AND LEARNING FACILITIES
The
teaching staff comprises a core staff of the Institute with outstanding academic
background and wide experience in economic policy and management. Senior academics
from Universities, research and training institutions, international agencies
and policy practitionners are invited to deliver courses, lectures and direct
workshops / seminars in the programmes. This arrangement enables the Institute
to involve a wide range of experts selected on the basis of their competence
and suitability to participate in the various programmes.
-
Increasing
capabilities in computer usage is currently one of IDEP's priority areas. Thus IDEP
has 2 networked computer centers connected to Internet. These centers have powerfull computers and peripherals dedicated to the trainees.
They can therefore acquire some practical skills through the regular use
of these machines, including the new information technologies.
-
The
translation and interpretation
facilities at IDEP support the various training, teaching, research and
consultancy services of the Institute. Simultaneous interpretation is provided
during lectures, courses, workshops and conferences.
