Introduction
The University for Peace (UPEACE) in collaboration with the University ofSassari (UNISS), Italy, has established a sandwich PhD in Land Degradation and Desertification in a bid to address one of the world’s challenges that is endangering human existence. It is a specialized degree that focusses on finding solutions to land degradation and desertification issues. The decline or loss of land productivity or utility due to natural factors affects food production and safety, livelihoods, and the production and provision of other ecosystem goods and services. This along with desertification need to be addressed through comprehensive research that this program entails. The programme therefore focuses on aspects of land management, climate change and environment, governance and conventions and scientific research methods as core courses.
Program Objectives
The primary focus of the programme is strengthening national scientific capacities to combat desertification and land degradation by supporting research on issues concerning Combatting Land Degradation and Desertification.
The PhD in Land Degradation and Desertification aims to achieve the following specific objectives:
- To equip students with skills of conducting research that will contribute to understanding of the causes, processes and impacts of land degradation and desertification.
- To Promote North-South and South-South scientific cooperation through student mobility and co-projecting of PhD research activities.
- To strengthen students’ capacity to contribute to development of policies to manage land degradation and desertification.
- To empower students with analyse socio-economic and policy dimensions of land degradation and desertification.
Programme Structure
SEMESTER ONE- At University for Peace (UPEACE)
Core Courses
- LDD7001 Global Peace, Sustainability, and Inclusion
- LDD7002 Climate Security and Diplomacy
- LDD7003 Governance and Conventions
- LDD7004 Scientific Research Methods
- LDD7005 Seminar Series
SEMESTER TWO- At University of Sassari (UNISS)
Specializations (Choose one)
- LDD8006 Sustainable Land Management for a changing climate
- LDD8007 Introduction to Modelling and System Dynamics
- LDD8008 Statistics
- LDD8009 Communication in Science
- LDD 8010 Ethics in Science
- LDD8011 Doctoral Thesis
Program Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Program, students of the PhD in Land Degradation and Desertification should be able to:
- Conduct research that will contribute to understanding the causes, processes and impacts of land degradation and desertification.
- Cooperate with partners within the region and those in Europe in conducting multi-disciplinary research in land degradation and desertification
- Develop policies to manage land degradation and desertification.
- Analyze socio-economic and policy dimensions of land degradation and desertification
Career Opportunities
- Environmental Policy and Governance – Graduates can work with international organizations, governments, and NGOs to develop policies addressing land degradation and desertification.
- Research and Academia – Opportunities exist in universities, research institutions, and think tanks to advance knowledge on sustainable land management and climate resilience.
- Sustainable Development and Climate Action – Graduates can contribute to global sustainability initiatives, focusing on land restoration, food security, and climate adaptation projects.
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Humanitarian Action – Professionals can engage in projects that mitigate the effects of desertification on communities, enhancing resilience in vulnerable regions.