The Department of Political and Administrative Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences has introduced a new programme, Masters of Research and Public Policy (MRPP). The programme was launched at a ceremony held at the UB Library Auditorium on April 26, 2018.
Introducing guests at the event, the Public Administration Lecturer at the Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Dr. Thekiso Molokwane said the new programme was aligned with the University’s strategic pillars of excellence, extending access and participation, and providing relevant and high quality programmes to its customers.
“The crafting of the programme was informed by a thorough process of needs assessment which was conducted by the collaborative departments in the respective countries,” explained Dr. Molokwane.
MRPP is a collaborative programme between the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) based in Nairobi, Kenya and 13 universities from seven African countries. The universities deliver the programme uniformly using common curriculum, and award an internationally recognised degree. The main objective of the programme is to develop highly skilled, well trained policy analysts who can dissect a policy problem, analyze and interpret data, as well as evaluate and create alternative courses of action.
The programme provides for the development of competencies in research and public policy, and will therefore generate a cadre of professionals able to work in a wide variety of settings, including but not limited to government bodies, think tanks, civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, media and universities.
Dr. Molokwane observed that the programme was a response to student needs and the social and economic developments of the respective countries as well as the rest of Africa.
Officially launching the programme, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Professor David Sebudubudu, appreciated the support the University had been receiving from PASGR. Professor Sebudubudu assured PASGR of the UB’s commitment and dedication to the partnership.
He pointed out that the programme would take UB to the people and the world, while also bringing the world to the University.
Head of Political and Administrative Studies, Dr. Bashi Mothusi, explained that the process of introducing the programme started in February 2011 when partners in Nairobi from PASGR called a meeting of 22 vice chancellors to brainstorm on the challenges faced by African countries. The former UB Vice Chancellor, Professor Bojosi Otlhogile, was invited but delegated a former Dean of Social Sciences, Professor Happy Siphambe, to represent him at the meeting.
A proposal to offer the MRPP degree was presented to the meeting, and upon Professor Siphambe‘s return, he was convinced that UB should be part of the new development, hence he recommended that the programme should be housed in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies. The former Dean was applauded for his guidance and support throughout the process.
Dr. Mothusi said the programme was designed by a group of experts from America, Europe and Africa, and one of the participants from UB, Dr. Gladys Mokhawa, was recruited to be a member of the team that would be part responsible for the design structure and course outline.
“The programme was presented to the University in June 2013 and only to be approved in March 2017 after the then substantive Dean of Social Sciences, Professor David Sebudubudu, presented the proposal to the executive committee of council,” said Dr. Mothusi.
Since 2013, PASGR has been buying books for all the courses offered under the programme, and also annually sponsoring a maximum of eight lecturers to Nairobi for a professional development course.
The programme, which was first advertised in March 27, 2017 has 23 students enrolled, and among them is Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr. Fidelis Molao.