EUCAIS Master Programme starts the second academic year
The online EUCAIS Master Programme (“Studies on the EU and Central Asia in the International System“) is now into its second year, and 28 post-graduates and young professionals from Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Chinese Province of Xinjiang again journeyed to Berlin for their third presence workshop, held 10–18 July 2011.
In addition to undertaking exams for their second semester subjects, participants also attended introductory lectures for third semester subjects. Prof. Dr. François Bafoil gave an energetic opening lecture on “Political and Economic Aspects of Transition of Countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia”, while IEP Director Prof. Dr. Mathias Jopp challenged participants to consider the potential for regional cooperation in Central Asia in his lecture on “The EU and the Relations with Central Asia – Lessons of the Past for Strategies of the Future”.
Attendees began to turn their minds to their thesis topics and in this participated in a lecture by Prof. Dr. Carina Sprungk on “Methodology of Academic Work in Research and Writing” and opportunities to meet with their supervisors to discuss their proposed topics.
Students were privileged to benefit from the considerable experience of Dr. Alexander Mühlen, who illuminated his seminar on negotiation with many examples from his time in the German Foreign Office. They had the opportunity to try out their negotiation skills in several simulations based on actual international events, e.g. a meeting of the UN Security Council and negotiations on an international agreement.
Finally, participants were fortunate to be able to listen to a two guest speakers. Students visited the German Federal Chancellery and discussed Germany’s role in EU policy with Mr Markus Knauf. Students also heard a presentation from Wenzel Michalski, Director of Human Rights Watch Germany and participated in a discussion that revealed a range of views amongst students.
For more information on EUCAIS, please visit the website: www.eucais.org
By: Peter Daley
