PhD | Doctor of Philosophy
Programme Overview
MODE OF LEARNING
DISTANCE
INTRODUCTION
The ARU PhD program is a researched based program that equips successful students with the necessary skills to become leaders and problem solvers.
The degree is multi-disciplinary, researched based and supported by regular colloquiums where post graduate students get together to learn research skills, presentation skills, network with each other, and obtain the opportunity to engage with their peers in healthy academic debate.
Ultimately the degree produces individuals who will be able to contribute towards the Zambian society in a productive manner.
The basic purpose of development is to enlarge people's choices. In principle, these choices can be infinite and can change over time. People often value achievements that do not show up at all, or not immediately, in income or growth figures: greater access to knowledge, better nutrition and health services, more secure livelihoods, security against crime and physical violence, satisfying leisure hours, political and cultural freedoms and sense of participation in community activities.
Research on development seeks to make a difference. This makes it even more loaded and contested than other kinds of research. (Mehta et al., 2006: 1)
Development Studies is research committed to improvement. Knowledge generation is not an end in itself … An implication of this is that Development Studies addresses current, actual problems, focusing on solving them.
The PhD in Development Studies will amongst others, also contribute towards the Zambian Government’s Vision 2030 in the following manner:
• Produce human capital with a diverse set of knowledge.
• Contribute to competent, highly skilled, and motivated human resources.
• Establish a knowledge-based economy that is fully competitive, dynamic, robust, and resilient in an integrated global and liberal environment.
• Establishing a progressive society that is an innovative and forward-looking contributor to the scientific and technological advancement of the future of Zambia.
• Build people's abilities in terms of skills and the ability to receive and process information for livelihood choices.
Definition and goals of the PhD in development studies
Development Studies is a multi- and inter-disciplinary field of study (i.e., not a discipline) that seeks to understand social, economic, political, technological, and cultural aspects of societal change, particularly in developing countries.
It is characterized also by normative and policy concerns. It aims at contributing to possible solutions to societal problems that development or its absence may produce.
Career path
There is no set career path in development studies. Development studies graduates are employed in a range of jobs in a variety of organizations, such as:
• Civil service
• Think tanks and lobbying firms
• Conservation
• Teaching and education
• Government agencies
• Charities and not-for-profit organizations
• Refugee agencies
• Consulting
• NGO’s
• Profit seeking ventures