The University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies (IDS) and Radboud University are pleased to announce the rebranding of the AMID Young Professional program to the Post-Initial Master in Global Challenges (GC). This new name better reflects the program’s expanding mission and the evolving landscape of global development.

The Global Challenges master’s program embraces a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to global problem-solving, a step ahead of the Advance masters in International Development previously taught. Moving beyond traditional donor-recipient models, the program addresses systemic issues such as climate change, inequality, migration, and global health — challenges that transcend borders and demand collective action. This diversion is to ensure that unlike in the traditional development studies model, it is not just the global North that offer solutions to the global South but that the whole world collaborates to offer solutions to problems that collectively face us.

The Global Challenges master's program represents a significant evolution in global problem-solving compared to the Advanced master's in International Development. The Global Challenges program emphasizes a collaborative, worldwide effort. It fosters an environment where all nations work together to develop solutions for the shared challenges we collectively face

A One-Year, Collaborative Master’s Program

The Global Challenges program is a one-year master’s program jointly taught by Radboud University and the University of Nairobi’s IDS. It combines academic coursework with practical training, equipping young professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to navigate and address pressing global issues.

A Strong Legacy and Growing Impact

Since its launch in 1998 in the Netherlands, the AMID Young Professional program has been a premier training ground for professionals in international development, equipping over 650 alumni with the knowledge and skills to bridge academia and practice and drive meaningful change worldwide.

The collaboration with IDS at the University of Nairobi began in 2021, marking an important milestone in the program’s global expansion. Today, we are proud to be running our 5th cohort in Kenya, reinforcing our commitment to developing young professionals who can tackle complex global issues.

The Global Challenges program in Kenya is led by Prof. Paul Kamau, Director of Research at IDS, who serves as the Academic Director. The team also includes Dr. Hebert Wamalwa, a lecturer in the program, and Grace Muraya, the Program Coordinator.

As we embark on this exciting new phase, we look forward to continuing to empower the next generation of global change makers.          

Visit the Masters of Global Challenges website for more information about how to enroll

Check out the press release on the Radboud University website

For the Masters of Global Challenges team,

Grace Muraya, Program Coordinator