Master's Programmes
Global Campus
Central Asia
The Master of Liberal Arts in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS)
Date & place
September 2024, Bishkek
Duration
18 months
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree | National of Central Asia 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 Liberal Arts in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS - GC Central Asia)
is a two years inter- and transdisciplinary programme bridging international human rights, humanitarian law, concepts of good governance, and sustainability principles and norms. The focus is the application and compliance of institutions and civil society to Central Asia’s UN 2015 SDGs (Agenda 2030).
Students are taught by leading international scholars, experts, and representatives of international organisations such as the UN, OSCE, EU, and NGOs while studying in a multicultural environment at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. The programme includes a mobility and exchange term in one of the partner universities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, or one of the partner programmes of the Global Campus.
MAHRS targets young scholars and graduates interested in Central Asian studies with a specialisation in human rights, governance, and sustainability.
People
Anja Mihr / Karlygach Nurmanbetova / Victoria Orazova / Cholpon Osmonalieva
Regional Network
- OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — coordinator
- Yerevan State University, Armenia
- Karagandy State University named after E. A. Buketov, Kazakhstan
- KIMEP International University, Kazakhstan
- American University in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
- National University of Mongolia, Mongolia
- Mahidol University, Thailand
- 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 are dedicated to the core theoretical and applied International Law, Governance and Sustainability Courses. Within the wider collaboration with the Global Campus, joint sessions and international guest lectures are offered.
- Introduction to International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and SDGs
- International Human Rights Law (IHRL) UN Treaty Law
- Good Governance in Central Asia
- Concepts and Policies of International Relations
- Concepts and Policies of IHRL Regimes
- Concepts and Policies of Sustainability
- Political Theory and Thought
- Migration Law
- Human Rights Fact-Finding
- Regionalism
- Political Regime Theory
- Sustainability and Civil Society in Central Asia
- Mixed Methods I: Quantitative and Qualitative and Triangulation
- Minority and Indigenous Rights
- Mixed Methods II: Qualitative, Case Studies and Verification Research Methods
- Research Design and Qualitative Methods
- Applied Research and Teaching Methods (IHRL & SDGs)
- Theory and Practice of System Transformation (Transitology)
- Democratisation/Democratic Institution Building
- Women and Gender Rights
- Conflict Prevention and Analysis
- Applied Research Methods: EU Policies
Â
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 region and in Europe. 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 | Member universities across Central Asia
This term focuses on thematic clusters and a mobility period at one of the member universities devoted to research and 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.Â
- OSCE Academy (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
- Yerevan State University (Yerevan, Armenia)
- 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)
- Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand)
- University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
- 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 of the programme
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 other students ready to address complex global challenges with a deep understanding of local contexts.