The Wait is Over! Universiti Malaya’s International Masters in Human Development Programme Now Ready for Launch

The 14^th AUN Rectors’ Meeting was convened on 5 July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the warmest welcome from Universiti Malaya. The highlight of this year’s presidential forum is undoubtedly the debuting ‘open’ morning session; where AUN Members, together with invited guests, speakers, and experts from ASEAN and beyond; gathered to discuss the latest development of the global landscape of higher education.

However, right after the newly-introduced morning session, the AUN Secretariat had prepared a jam-packed afternoon session, where the leaders of AUN Member Universities got to hear the latest updates on projects, events, and activities from the AUN Secretariat, the AUN Members, and the Thematic Networks.

Kickstarting our afternoon session is Dr. Welyne Jeffrey Jehome, Anthropologist and Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. Dr. Welyne, together with Dr. Bob Aubrey, founder and chair of the advisory board of the ASEAN Human Development Organization (AHDO), brought us the latest updates from the Universiti Malaya’s Pathway to the International Masters in Human Development Programme.

Conceived in 2021, this unique international master programme traced its origin from ASEAN’s need for professionals who are trained in human development, leadership management, and social entrepreneurship to make contributions to the region’s key priority. The programme is aimed at professionals from various industries who want to put human development into practice at their organisations. The one-and-a-half year curriculum offers the students a foundational knowledge base, career development and professional support from AHDO, a blended mode of learning for much more flexibility, and employable expertise areas provided in electives and thesis.

It is the first of its kind in ASEAN, and after a market survey launched in 2022, Dr. Welyne announced the joyous news that the International Masters in Human Development Programme will open its door to the first batch of students in September 2024.

She also unveiled in the meeting the core and elective courses that will be offered to students and possible research and projects that students can undertake in the programme.

Interest has started coming in toward the programme, with interested individuals from both within ASEAN and beyond. Dr. Welyne demonstrated much interest in potential collaborations with fellow ASEAN universities that offer similar programmes as well.