Message from Alumni
IDP is the quintessential step to developing one's professional career.
Japan
Associate Professor
Chiba Keizai University, Japan
IDP Class of 1997
The wide range of career opportunities available to IDP alumni, including research and consulting firms, governments, international organizations, and Ph.D. programs, is a testament to the excellence of the program. The curriculum significantly advances all students' theoretical expertise and practical skills through the use of analytical tools to analyze international development issues. Furthermore, there are ample opportunities to develop professional presentation skills and to learn statistical software-packages.
The diverse student body is the ideal setting in which to share cross-cultural experiences. While the Bangladeshi university-lecturer classmate would explain the application of "Game Theory" to real business situations, the Japanese banker would astound the audience with the use of sophisticated digital media in financial valuation presentations. These and other experiences provided students with the chance to learn practical problem-solving approaches in multiple contexts.
The faculty members of IDP are inspired teachers who also regularly organize tennis matches, ski tours, and barbecue parties. With their academic credentials and professional experiences, the faculty members often serve as role models for IDP students. This combination of analytical tools, communication skills, and world-class faculty makes IDP the quintessential step to developing one's professional career.
Professors always make you work to elicit all your effort towards the best result.
Vietnam
JOC Sales
Fujitsu Vietnam Limited
IDP Class of 2007
I had a bachelor's degree in economics and had been working for a multinational company for three years when I thought of attaining a higher education. I realized that my life's goal is not simply getting a job to earn income. As a citizen of a developing country, my utmost career goal in this ear of globalization is to work on economic development-related issues in an international organization, a research institute, or a consulting firm, etc. I came to know about IUJ's International Development Program (IDP) and carefully studied its curriculum, and I was convinced that it was exactly what I needed in order to develop my own career path. This is because the IDP is a master's degree program in economics focusing on international development issues.
Actually, many of my classmates who majored in mathematics, economics, and the like did well with their studies. However, even if your background is not economics, it is good for you to study at IUJ because there are prerequisite courses to build up and consolidate your knowledge in economics and related fields. In the first year, students are mainly equipped with skills in mathematics, statistics, micro- and macroeconomics, research methodology, and some quantitative analysis.
The curriculum of the IDP is very challenging. You will have chances to work with many demanding professors who always make you work until you are exhausted to elicit all your effort towards the best result.
My goal is to take an active role in offering advice to the government on development issues.
Malawi
Economist, Planning Division
Ministry of Agriculture,
Malawi
IDP Class of 2007
IUJ was my top choice because I was looking for a reputable University where I could acquire advanced skills in conducting development related research. After searching across the globe, I found that IUJ has well qualified professors, a vast collection of academic resource materials and an impressive record of producing leaders in various professional fields operating in all corners of the world.
The most helpful thing I found about IUJ is the sharing of experiences among students from over fifty countries on development challenges like poverty, conflict and global warming, which the world is facing. In class discussions, it was very fascinating to note various approaches taken by various countries on tackling these development challenges and from those discussions, we learnt a lot from each other.
After IUJ, I returned to my country, Malawi, and my goal is to take an active role in offering advice to the government on development issues by applying the skills I gained in my two-year study in the Development Program. I also look forward to extending my services further to other countries that are working towards sustainable development to make the world a better place for everyone.
The IUJ campus location is an almost perfect place for those who are academically oriented.
Turkey
Ph.D. Candidate in economics
Verginia Tech University, U.S.A.
IDP Class of 2007
IUJ is a very good place for those who prefer English-taught courses and still want to learn about Japan and its culture. I chose IUJ because I wanted to learn Japanese while getting training in economics related subjects. After attending IUJ's Japanese courses for one year, I was able to communicate in every day life without any difficulty. In addition, I found the IUJ campus location to be an almost perfect place for those who are academically oriented. The silent atmosphere of IUJ provided me with a very good environment during my studies in Japan. I should also note that ski resorts around the campus make skiing a very convenient pastime. While studying at IUJ I had chances to visit Thailand and Hawaii for a UN internship and an academic conference. Students get these kinds of opportunities often at IUJ.
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Next topic will be "Introduction to the IUJ IRP program" (To be updated on January 14, 2008). Stay tuned!