Dear Readers,

as winter sets in and the year comes to a close, it is with great pleasure that we bring you the winter edition of the IEE Newsletter for 2024. This issue reflects the vibrancy, achievements, and ongoing evolution of our Institute as we continue to foster impactful research, dynamic teaching, and meaningful international collaborations.

With the arrival of the new cohort of MADM students in September, the institute welcomed fresh perspectives and energy from around the globe. Their first weeks were marked by introductory activities, including a campus tour and welcome speeches. These initial activities laid the foundation for a dynamic academic journey ahead. Dr. Anne Siebert's article provides an insightful overview of the start of this new chapter.

As part of their initiation, the current cohort also participated in an intercultural seminar and teambuilding activities that emphasised collaboration and understanding across diverse cultural backgrounds. This enriching experience is captured in an article by MADM student Muzahida Tasbiha, who reflects on how these activities brought the group closer and set the tone for the months to come.

In October, the students participated in the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) course, where they supported the Mthimkhulu Village Centre in South Africa. By developing innovative project plans to address pressing community challenges, they demonstrated the transformative power of practical application in development management. Read more about the course in the report by lecturer Dr. Britta Niklas.

Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of our Master's in Development Management (MADM) program. This milestone will be celebrated with a special alumni conference entitled "Practitioners Perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals: Working Towards Results". We look forward to welcoming our alumni back to Bochum in June 2025, where the conference will feature reflections on the diverse career paths of our graduates. A special edition of the IEE newsletter dedicated to alumni profiles is also in the pipeline. Read more on this in the article by Dr. Gabriele Bäcker, Executive Director of the Institute.

This year also marks a significant milestone for our European Joint Doctorate program, ADAPTED, as the project concluded with its Final Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 25 to 28. This event not only celebrated 4 years of research aimed at eradicating extreme poverty, but also underlined the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of the program. The conference saw the 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) present their findings, culminating in an engaging dissemination day. For a full report, please refer to the interesting article by Simon Rahn, coordinator of ADAPTED.

We also proudly awarded an Honorary Doctorate in International Development Studies to Prof. Wil Hout in recognition of his exceptional contributions to development governance and interdisciplinary academic networks. Dr. Gabriele Bäcker offers a reflection on this momentous occasion in this issue of the newsletter.

The PhD in International Development Studies program welcomed three new members this year, each with ambitious research projects addressing critical global challenges. Read about their diverse projects, ranging from climate change adaptation in Kenya, to energy transition strategies in Nigeria, to urban politics in Ethiopia's political crises. You’ll find more information about these projects in the article by coordinator Dr. Britta Niklas.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Britta Niklas on the successful completion of her PhD. Her thesis, which explores consumer preferences and producer challenges in the wine industry is a testament to her dedication and academic excellence. You can read more about her research and its impactful findings in this issue.

Another exciting development is the establishment of a new African Centre of Excellence at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), focusing on sustainable food systems and agricultural data science. Starting in 2025, the project aims to support young scientists and promote the transfer of research results into policy and practice. In her article, Dr. Britta Niklas provides an in-depth perspective on this initiative.

From November 26 to 28, the Network Meeting of the DAAD African Excellence Centers brought together representatives from partner institutions across the African continent and Germany in Cape Town, South Africa. Read how Dr. Britta Niklas reflects on key moments and outcomes of this engaging three-day event in her report.

We hope you enjoy this winter edition of the newsletter and the stories it contains. As always, we encourage you to stay connected with us through our website and social media channels. Anyone else interested in the IEE newsletter is welcome to sign up via the following link: https://lists.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/mailman/listinfo/iee-news.

Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Sincerely,


Wilhelm Löwenstein

Please find the newsletter in this PDF file.