Background

In many developing countries top-level university teachers are scarce, especially in the area of development-related subjects. This limits the quality of university education: due to the small number of highly qualified lecturers it is not possible to provide enough adequate study places. A well-developed higher education sector is essential for training the professionals and managerial staff that can be highly conducive to the political, economic, and social success of developing countries.

The In-Country/In-Region programme in developing countries ought to contribute to train highly qualified professionals and managerial staff for sustainable development in the partner countries and for the development of top-quality, cosmopolitan universities. The programme thus offers scholarships to future university teachers from developing countries for postgraduate courses and for doctorates. They study at universities in their home country or at highly qualified institutions in the region, some of which are organised in networks.

The partner universities and partner institutions in the respective countries are intermediaries, but profit directly from the programme through tuition fees. The regional focus of the programme is sub-Saharan Africa; however, very similar programmes are run in Central America, South America, South and South-East Asia, and the Middle East.

Programme objectives

The objective of the programme is to qualify graduates for taking on positions of responsibility in development-related areas in teaching and research. It also aims to promote the participation of women and disadvantaged groups and to strengthen the organisational, financial, and personnel capacities of the partner institutions.

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