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About the Program

MS Development Studies (Dev. Studies) is a multi and inter-disciplinary program that explores critical topics of development theory and practices, introducing development as a process of evolution of societies. Development Studies is also a policy debate that takes into account the specificity of societies in terms of history, ecology, culture, technology, politics etc. and how these differences both can and often should translate into varied ‘local’ responses to regional or global processes, and varied strategies of development and methods.

MS Dev. Studies provides high-quality and rigorous training needed to understand the methods, policy, and practices of development. The program offers a solid multi-disciplinary social science foundation in theory, quantitative methods, and applications employed in various fields of development. The Department of Economics and Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts jointly offer the program.

This program emphasizes on understanding the historical perspectives and recent advances in development, and caters to the growing market for analysts and policymakers. Graduates from this program will be prepared for careers in research institutions, government entities, development agencies, international organizations, and policy-related think tanks.

Learning Objectives:

  • Engage students in exploring critical topics of development theory and practice, in order to link historical perspectives with recent advancements in development.
  • Equip students with the knowledge, skills and analytical tools required for a career in the field of development.
  • Prepare students to lead the future debates in development across various aspects of society, and regional levels.
  • Train, and empower, students to serve as agents of change in local communities.

Distinguishing Features:

  • At IBA, the quality of faculty, highly developed infrastructure, and variety of departments provide for an excellent platform to fulfill the objectives of the program.
  • The applied field study module will be a unique experience for the students to understand development in general, and in Pakistan’s context too.
  • The course is geared towards leading future debates, critical thinking, and existential issues dealing with the idea of development in the 21st century.