Global Campus
Central Asia
The Master of Liberal Arts in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS)
Date & place
1 September of each year, Bishkek
Duration
18 months
Requirements
BA degree or Specialist Diploma | National of Central Asia incl. Afghanistan & Mongolia or OSCE participating State
Coordinator
OSCE Academy in Bishkek
A unique two-year transdisciplinary programme focused on Central Asia, awarded by the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.
Overview
The Master of Arts and Liberal Sciences specializing in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS - GC Central Asia)
is a graduate 2-year Regional Master’s degree at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. An inter- and interdisciplinary Programme of Liberal Arts, it bridges the subjects of international law, social sciences, humanities, and sustainability. The programme is designed for scholars, professionals, and graduate students who aim to work in related public, domestic, international, administrative, and non-governmental fields, and the public sector.
The core content focuses on learning, applying, monitoring, and implementing principles and standards of international human rights, good governance, and sustainability, as outlined by international and regional Human Rights Regimes, such as OSCE and the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
MAHRS encompasses classroom teaching at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, its partner universities in Central Asia and beyond, and an intensive internship programme. In the first academic year, students are based in Bishkek; in the second year, they relocate to one of the partner universities in Central Asia and the Global Campus. Students also conduct field research and internships in international organisations, think tanks, and CSOs/NGOs with a related focus on their studies.
People
Dr. Anja Mihr, Academic Director / Ms Cholpon Osmonalieva, Head of Department of Education at the OSCE Academy /Ms Karlygach Nurmanbetova, Programme Specialist / Ms Aiym Chotoeva, Programme Assistant / Ms Victoria Orazova, Head of International Department
Regional Network
- OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — coordinator
- Karaganda State University named after E. A. Buketov, Kazakhstan
- KIMEP International University, Kazakhstan
- American University in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
- National University of Mongolia, Mongolia
- University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Uzbekistan
Programme Details
TERMS I and II: September to mid-April | OSCE Academy in Bishkek
The first two terms of the curricula are dedicated to the core theoretical and conceptual frameworks of International Law, Governance, and Sustainability. Within the wider collaboration with the Global Campus, joint sessions and international guest lectures are offered.
- International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and SDGs in Central Asia
- International Human Rights Law (IHRL) UN Treaty Law
- International Criminal Law & Fact-Finding
- Fundamental Rights in the European Union
- International Organisation Theory: UNO, OSCE and ODIHR
- International Relations
- Sustainability (SDGs) and Society in Central Asia
- Arts and Human Rights: Pathways to Sustainability
- Crises Management and SDGs
- Concepts and Policies of Sustainability
- Political Theory
- Gender Rights
- Climate Justice
- Regionalism
- Minority and Indigenous Rights
- Children’s Rights
- Democratisation, Transitology and Good Governance
- Research Design, Mixed and Qualitative Methods
- Applied Research and Teaching Methods (IHRL & SDGs)
TERM III: May to July | Internship Hosting Organisation (International)
Students complete an eight-week internship at selected IGOs, NGOs, think tanks, and research institutes across the Central Asian region, Europe and beyond. The OSCE Academy supports students in applying for internships at organisations in human rights and sustainability, governance, peace and conflict resolution. OSCE-Office for Democratic Institution Building and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw reserves a unique placement for MAHRS students. The internship term serves as an opportunity to gain valuable insights into practical aspects and areas of professional activities related to the student’s academic interest and with relevance to the student’s future career plans.
TERM IV: September to December | Mobility Term at Partner Universities
This term focuses on thematic clusters and classes taken at partner universities where students also complete their thesis writing.
TERM V: January to May | OSCE Academy in Bishkek
This last period is dedicated to thesis preparation and defence, state exams, graduation, and student individual research work.
- OSCE Academy (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
- Karaganda State University of Buketov (Karaganda, Kazakhstan)
- KIMEP University (Almaty, Kazakhstan)
- American University of Central Asia (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
- National University of Mongolia (Ulan Bator, Mongolia)
- University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Mobility Term Partners:
- Yerevan State University (Yerevan, Armenia), GC Caucasus coordinator
- Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand), GC Asia Pacific coordinator
- Philipps-University Marburg, Germany (Erasmus+)
- University of Valencia, Spain (Erasmus+)
- Degree (four-year BA degree, Specialist Diploma, or final year BA program) in the field of social sciences, humanities, law, sociology, international relations, political sciences, or other equivalent subjects
- Citizenship of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or any other OSCE participating State
- Demonstrated professional and/or research interest in human rights, sustainability and democratisation in Central Asia
- Advanced level of English (at least 6.5 on the IELTS or 90 on the TOEFL); shortlisted candidates who did not submit the certificate will have to take the English language test of the OSCE Academy.
Maximum number of accepted students: 20
- Tuition-free studies
- A monthly stipend of 450 EUR
- Round-trip travel to/from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Primary medical insurance coverage (except for the citizens of Kyrgyzstan)
- Funded internship opportunities in Europe for top students
Graduates of the MAHRS Programme become a part of a vast professional network through the OSCE Academy and the Global Campus of Human Rights, connecting with experts in government, international and national NGOs, private companies, development agencies and governmental agencies, ministries and local communities across Central Asia and beyond. Some alumni continue in academia, focusing on good governance, sustainable development, or international law. Collectively, OSCE Academy and GC alumni advance their countries’ development by promoting human rights and contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs in Central Asia and the OSCE region.
Are you keen to contribute to the promotion of human rights in Central Asia?
MAHRS: Training future changemakers in Central Asia
The MAHRS Master’s programme offers a unique blend of regional expertise in Central Asia with an interdisciplinary focus on human rights and sustainability. Join MAHRS to address complex global challenges with a deep understanding of local contexts.