Kent has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Brac University, based in Bangladesh, to co-deliver a MSc in Development Economics programme.
Students on Kent’s MSc in Development Economics will now have the opportunity to undertake a research placement in Dhaka, Bangladesh as part of their degree.
The universities marked the agreement with a virtual event on 30 November, with colleagues providing insights on how the partnership will benefit students when it launches in Autumn 2021.
Students studying the MSc in Development Economics will spend the first stage of the programme at Kent’s School of Economics, before proceeding to research placements at Brac University where they will complete their dissertations with co-supervision.
This opportunity will give students exceptional access to primary data and academic experts in field of development economics in Bangladesh.
Brac University is widely considered to be among the top private universities in Bangladesh in terms of academic excellence and prestige. It is linked to the BRAC organisation, an international development organisation based in Bangladesh. BRAC is now one of the largest NGOs in the world, operating not only in Bangladesh but also in ten other countries in Africa and Asia.
Building on BRAC’s experience of seeking solutions to challenges posed by extreme poverty, Brac University is committed to instilling in its students a commitment to working towards national development and progress.
Dr Anthony Manning, Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at Kent, said: ‘We are delighted to mark formally the launch of the partnership between Brac University and the University of Kent. The agreement between our institutions is the outcome of recognising the potential for our academic strengths being combined to create a greater whole – for the benefits of our students and the impact that they will make as graduates.’
Dr Zaki Wahhaj, Co-Director of the Development Economics Research Centre at Kent’s School of Economics, said: ‘Students on the MSc in Development Economics will be able to simultaneously take advantage of research expertise on economic development in South Asia offered by Kent’s Development Economics Research Centre, as well as exposure to an international development NGO that has been at the forefront of innovations in international development practice during the last four decades.’
Dr Andrey Launov, Director of Graduate Studies at Kent’s School of Economics, said: ‘MSc Development Economics at Kent is a rigorous course that provides modern approach to understanding the process of economic development. Its curriculum combines classical economics schools of thought with novel research in development bordering political science, sociology and psychology.’
For information about Kent’s MSc in Development Economics and the School of Economics’ other postgraduate courses, please visit: https://www.kent.ac.uk/economics/postgraduate
