Background:

Sudan Development Institute (SDI) is entrusted with stimulating the desirable strong link between UMST and the local and international communities. The main concern of SDI is to coordinate the on-going development efforts exerted by the government, international agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. This formidable task requires attaining breakthroughs in approaches at the cutting-edge of the hard sciences, the social sciences, ethics and politics. SDI bridges the gaps between various disciplines to coherently address the socio-economic problems facing Sudan. In doing so, SDI will go a long way to boost UMST’s endeavour to extend its influence and reveals its prestige to a wider audience both locally and globally.

Director, Sudan Development Institute, Dr. Mekki Medani Elshibly

Vision:

Play a major role in generating, mobilizing and sharing knowledge that transforms Sudan to a developed country, where poverty is minimized and social justice is commonplace.

Mission:

Interact with a network of national, regional and international partners to reach practical solutions to the development problems facing Sudan and other countries in the region, through the innovative use of teaching, training, consultancy, and research and policy analysis, leading to the realization of the vision.

Programmes:

• Policy Analysis Programme.

This programme targets promoting and conducting analysis of development policy issues relevant to Sudan and the Arab and African regions. It also focuses on monitoring the performance of Sudan economy and the management of public policy implementation, especially with regard to the implications for economic and social development. The programme also offers advice and consultancy services to national, regional and internal clients under suitable contractual and other arrangements. Furthermore, the programme provides technical assistance to individuals and organizations in Sudan as deemed desirable for purposes of facilitating policy analysis. It also assists in professional training in matters relating to policy analysis, and encourages collaboration between international organizations, national and regional professionals to build or augment capacities for performance and understanding of policy analysis. Besides, the programme also arranges for publishing the outcome of its policy analysis activities to individuals, organizations or the general public.

• Capacity Building Programme.

This programme targets promoting and conducting analysis of development policy issues relevant to Sudan and the Arab and African regions. It also focuses on monitoring the performance of Sudan economy and the management of public policy implementation, especially with regard to the implications for economic and social development. The programme also offers advice and consultancy services to national, regional and internal clients under suitable contractual and other arrangements. Furthermore, the programme provides technical assistance to individuals and organizations in Sudan as deemed desirable for purposes of facilitating policy analysis. It also assists in professional training in matters relating to policy analysis, and encourages collaboration between international organizations, national and regional professionals to build or augment capacities for performance and understanding of policy analysis. Besides, the programme also arranges for publishing the outcome of its policy analysis activities to individuals, organizations or the general public.

• Graduate Studies Programme.

Teaching programme at the Institute focuses primarily on policy-oriented study of development issues. The Institute targets enhancing student's capacities to handle complex development issues through offering advanced knowledge and sharpening skills. The Institute offers a range of programmes at different levels. This includes Ph. D., M.Sc. and Postgraduate Diploma programmes in Development Studies targeting young and mid-career professionals who wish to deepen their academic knowledge and obtain an academic degree. In addition, the Institute offers a range of other postgraduate diploma programmes. The graduate programme starts initially with the following:

 Mast Master Degree in Development Studies (Six Specializations):
  o Health and Society.
  o Health Economics and Policy. o Leadership.
  o Environmental Planning and Policy.
  o Urban Planning.
  o Development Economics.
 Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies.

• Consultancy and Research Programme.

The Institute will act as the gateway for consultancy activities in the university. In fulfilling this task, it will establish a roaster including all UMST professional staff. These professionals have diversified development, engineering, medical, industrial, environment, management and business experience. Hence, the Institute is capable of delivering excellent quality multi-disciplinary services that satisfy customer’s expectations. Full commitment to the highest professional standards and collaboration with reputable partners worldwide are expected to help SDI to take a leading position among its competitors. In performing its research activities, the Institute will ensure close coordination with Sudan Medical and Scientific Research Institute (SUMASRI), being the focal point of research activities at UMST. The Institute aims at combining research with core activities in teaching, capacity development and consulting services. Research will focus on critical, interdisciplinary and applied approach to issues associated with societal transformation. The Institute offers cutting-edge research expertise and resources to a wide range of students and partners. The Institute considers collaboration with external research partners as an integral component of its research policy.

• Information and Documentation Programme.

This programme is involved in the accumulation, organization, and dissemination of scientific information and documents in support of the realization of socio-economic development in Sudan and the neighbouring countries. In view of the compatibility problems encountered in the exchange of information between various systems at national, regional and international levels, the programme focuses on attaining a minimum set of harmonized common standards and methodologies. Due to the importance of capacity building in this field, the programme organizes advanced specialized short- term training courses on information and documentation systems. The programme also pays special attention to expose the scientific information of the Institute through the accumulation, processing and dissemination of its research findings. Furthermore, the programme aims at equipping national, regional and international libraries with information and documents originating at the Institute.

Master Degree in Development Studies

Course Description and References

•Economic Development

•Political Economy of Development (More)

Course Structure

1. Admission Requirements:

1.1 Applicants qualify for admission if they hold honours degree in any social science from UMST or any other recognized university.
1.2 Applicants who hold Honours degree in natural sciences, with sufficient background in social sciences, may be considered.
1.3 An applicant may qualify for admission if he/she holds a general bachelor degree in any social science from UMST or any other recognized university, plus two year working experience in public or private institutions.
1.4 An applicant may qualify for admission if he/she holds a post graduate diploma in development studies from UMST or any other recognized university.
1.5 All Applicants shall be interviewed for the assessment of their suitability, knowledge and command of English language.
1.6 Applications for admission to graduate studies shall be submitted to the Graduate College (GC) admission officer.

2. Programme Course Structure:

- Master Time Table Semester (1)

- Master Time Table Semester (2)

Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies

Course Description and References

•Critical Perspectives on Development

•Issues in Conflict, Peace and Reconstruction (More)

Course Structure

1. Admission Requirements:

1.1 Applicants qualify for admission if they hold a general bachelor degree from UMST or any other recognized university by the Ministry of Higher Education.
1.2 All Applicants shall be interviewed for the assessment of their suitability, knowledge and command of English language.
1.3 Applications to the programme should be made through UMST Admissions Office and the Graduate College.

2. Programme Course Structure (More)

Short and Single Courses

1. Definitions:

1.1 SDI offers a range of short courses that are ideal for those looking for career advancement or interested in getting back into studying or want to study for the first time. These short courses are non accredited courses of varying lengths which provides skills and knowledge enhancement. The short courses can act either as an introduction to a new subject area or as a refresher course before a student embarks on more intensive study. The wide variety of short courses offered by SDI is open to the general public as well as to business and industry. Enrolments to short courses are accepted at any time as short courses are offered throughout the year.

1.2 On the other hand, SDI offers an excellent opportunity for interested students to experience studying at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) by sitting for a single course. A single course is a single subject from UMST huge variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. These courses are offered in the first and second semesters. Students interested in broadening their knowledge – in order to keep themselves up-to-date or for simple personal interest – can attend one of the UMST’s current courses for one academic year, sit the final examinations and receive a regular certificate. For the majority of single courses, students will be required to attend lectures and tutorial each week for the duration of one semester.

2. Admission Requirements (More)