Red Sea University
Centre for Peace and Development Studies
In alignment with the overarching vision of Red Sea University, Somalia, to promote higher education and scientific research, the Centre for Peace and Development Studies is established as a leading regional and international Centre dedicated to teaching, research, and thought leadership in the areas of peace and development studies. This Centre aims to foster high-quality learning, original research, and public awareness on issues related to peace and development, particularly within the context of Somalia and other developing societies. Through its academic and non-academic programs, the Centre seeks to create a meaningful impact by bridging the gap between policy and research, and by building capacities in the public and private sectors.
Vision: A leading regional and international Centre for teaching, research, and a think-tank in areas of peace and development studies.
Mission:
To provide an accredited institute of higher learning on peace and conflict studies.
Objectives and Goals:
- Goals:
The Centre pursues the following goals informing its objectives and policies.
I. To promote high-quality learning on peace and development studies with reference to Somalia and other third-world societies.
II. To enhance originality and excellence in research and its dissemination in the area of peace.
III. Creates linkage between policy and research.
IV. Enhance public awareness where peace issues are concerned.
- Objectives:
The Centre shall pursue the following specific objectives:
I. Design high-quality programs leading to diplomas, M.A, and Ph.D. on a regular and distance learning basis.
II. Carry-out research and studies focusing on peace-building and conflict prevention issues.
III. Carry-out consultancy services and assignments for government and non-government agencies.
To realize the mentioned objectives, the Centre proposes/intends to carry out two sets of programs including but not restricted to:
- Academic Programs:
1.1. The Centre offers interdisciplinary courses leading to postgraduate degrees.
1.2. The Centre establishes three departments for that matter
1.3. The Centre carries out research in collaboration with the Puntland government, and the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia as well as international institutions
- Non-Academic Programs:
1.1. The Centre organizes short (non-degree) courses to build the capacities of government employees and other sectors.
1.2. The Centre maintains strategic studies to offer training on strategic planning issues.
1.3. The Centre establishes a department for training, and capacity building.
1.4. Organizes conferences, symposia, and short-term courses for capacity-building.
Departments:
- Peace & Conflict Studies
- Environmental Change and Human Security
- Population and Development
- Scientific Research
- Training, Capacity Building, and Awareness
- Strategic Studies
Exit Competencies:
C.P.D.S focuses on competencies of graduates informing their after-campus performance, as an indicator of the extent to which they have made use of the acquired knowledge to the benefit of societies. Therefore C.P.D.S expects graduates to:
• Apply principles of peace-making (Mediation, reconciliation and arbitration),
• Demonstrate their know-how in the promotion of peace-making techniques for the benefit of the general public.
• Develop training materials for influential social sectors i.e. Journalists, youth, women….etc.
• Produce research papers on current issues in the area.
• Engage in professional activities that reinforce and support conflict prevention.
- Admission Requirements:
C.P.D.S programs are relevant for professionals and fresh graduates interested in peace oriented education, public policy, development, international relations and related fields. However, admission to these programs is subject to the following regulations.
Post-Graduate Diploma:
Admission will be open for candidates who are:
- Graduates of the Red Sea University or any other accredited institution of higher learning in a related field.
- Able to convince an interview committee of their eligibility and aptitude for the program.
- A. Program:
Candidates for the program are required to be:
- Graduates of the Red Sea University or its equivalent: a Bachelor Degree in a relevant field.
- Holders of a B.A or B.Sc. degree in any social science with G.P.A. not less than 2.5.
Learning Methods:
These are the experiences and the end results of the enlightened interaction between students on the one hand, and the social and physical environment of the Centre on the other. They also show the major methods of teaching and learning including the following main elements:
a) Presentations: Instructors are to provide inputs to facilitate students’ independent and original work, and to enable them to present their work with the aim of sharing ideas, and to stimulate immediate feedback from other participants.
b) Debate: To enhance the ability of students to generate ideas for local problems, they are supposed to discuss different conflict-related issues and provide possible solutions supported with valid justifications.
c) Group Work: Peace and Conflict Studies require human interaction. Processes of peace-making usually involve more than one party, through the dialogue approach. This group work is one possible strategy to develop tolerance and human interaction skills.
d) Problem-solving: this method includes identification of a problem, hypothesizing, data collection, data analysis, and drawing conclusions. Students will be exposed to engage in such activities in local contexts.
Evaluation:
Involves identifying the criteria whereby learning experiences of students can be assessed, including tests, assignments, presentations, examinations, and participation. Evaluations are not solely undertaken for grading purposes, but they are aimed at researching whether the goals of the course or the student’s expectations are met. That will follow the regulations of the Red Sea University Academic Affairs.
Duration of Study:
- The program leading to a Post-graduate Diploma offers courses in two semesters, for one academic year. Students will be required to prepare a research paper supervised by a competent member of staff as a partial requirement for the award of the Diploma degree.
- The program leading to the M.A Degree comprises four semesters in two years’ time, comprising coursework and thesis writing. Courses will be offered in the first three semesters. The fourth semester is allotted for thesis writing.