A new master¡¯s degree that will be offered by 12 universities across Africa aims to develop the continent¡¯s next generation of public policy leaders.

The master¡¯s in research and public policy will give aspiring and practising development professionals an understanding of the common challenges confronting countries across the continent, such as education, poverty and HIV/Aids, while training them in global social policy concepts.

The qualification, which was set to be officially launched on 12 August in Nairobi, Kenya, has been developed by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research and the partner institutions.

Tade Aina, executive director of the partnership, said: ¡°We are developing the next generation of public policy leaders in Africa.¡±

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Already, 150 students have enrolled on the two-year, full-time course, which includes a placement in a policy or research institution.

The 12 partner universities have agreed to deliver the course using a common curriculum, with the hope that graduates will be prepared for careers in government, civil society organisations and development agencies.

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The founder institutions include the University of Lagos, the University of Jos and the University of Ibadan, all in Nigeria. The course will also be offered by Maseno University and Egerton University (both in Kenya); the University of Dar es Salaam and Mzumbe University (both in Tanzania); and?Uganda Christian University and Uganda Martyrs University (both in Uganda).?Other providers include the universities of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Botswana.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com