http://sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation/


2011 / 2012 call for applications
Master of Human Rights
& Democratisation
(Asia Pacific regional program)

overview
The promotion and protection of human rights faces significant impediments in the Asia Pacific. In contradistinction to other regions, notably Europe, Africa and the Americas, Asia lacks strong regional institutions and legal frameworks, both in general, and with particular reference to human rights.

The failure to respect, promote and protect human rights and the process of democratisation, particularly dire in parts of the region, is only compounded by the relative paucity of accessibile, appropriate and targeted educational programs for human rights and democratisation professionals. Added to this is the fact that the majority of educational material has been developed in the USA or Europe and most published research on human rights and democracy in the region comes from outside the Asia Pacific. Case material is often remote from the immediate concerns of local populations, and thematic content that is most relevant, for example, the relationship between human rights and democracy or development and poverty is omitted or thinly treated. Curriculum material also pays insufficient attention to the work of non-government organisations in the region, which form the bedrock of human rights activity, and which will constitute the largest sector for graduates’ future employment.

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In response to this state of affairs, the University of Sydney, in conjunction with Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal), Mahidol University (Thailand) and the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), is now offering Asia Pacific’s premier regional degree in human rights and democratisation. Uniquely, this degree offers students the opportunity to study both at the internationally renowned University of Sydney and one of four selected universities in the Asia Pacific with particular expertise in human rights and democratisation. By drawing upon, linking and developing existing programs in the region, this new Asia Pacific Master of Human Rights and Democratisation seeks to relocate regional human rights and democracy studies to local institutions and offer a degree program from the particular perspectives and approaches that are emerging in the region.

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This program is co-funded by the European Union.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATES
––10 DECEM BER 2010
(SCHOLARSHIP APLICATIONS )
––30 APRIL 2011 (GENERAL APPLICATIONS )
faculty of Arts
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2 aims & objectives

The Asia Pacific is the largest and most diverse region in the world. Stretching from the Pacific to the Middle East, and including three of the world’s most populous countries, the region is home to more than half of the world’s population and offers unparalleled cultural richness. However, the region also faces a number of severe human rights challenges, including massive poverty, discrimination against vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, armed conflict and violence, forced internal displacement of people, exploitation of children, people-trafficking, environmental and cultural destruction and corruption. Recognising the pressing demand to build knowledge and expertise to increase awareness of and respect for human rights and democratic principles in a manner that is carefully attuned to regional issues and perspectives, both across the region and within local and national communities, the five-university consortium introduced this new degree in July 2010.

The Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific Regional Program) – MHRD (Asia Pacific) – is the only program of its kind in the Asia Pacific. The aim of the program is to develop the capacity of people working in the field of human rights and democratisation in the Asia Pacific region so that they may be better equipped to advocate for, promote awareness of and encourage respect for human rights and democratic principles, both across the region and within their local communities. The program is tailored to address the particular objectives and perspectives of people working in the field of human rights and democratisation at a number of levels, that is, in governmental, non-governmental and international organisations, as well as in education, the police or military, business or other fields where human rights perspectives are critical.

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interdisciplinary approach

The MHRD (Asia Pacific) is an interdisciplinary intensive one-year postgraduate degree that reflects the inseparable links between human rights, democracy, peace and development in the region. Designed for mid-career professionals and highly motivated graduates, the degree offers students a unique opportunity to engage first-hand with regional and international human rights issues, and to interact with internationally renowned human rights academics, practitioners and experts. Complemented by funding from the European Commission, this degree provides students with exposure to leading international human rights academics and practitioners.

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degree structure
The degree consists of a foundational semester and a one-week inter-sessional intensive (from July to November) at the University of Sydney and a second semester (from January to June) at one of four regional partner institutions:

Mahidol University (Thailand), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal) and the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka).

First Semester - The University of Sydney The first semester curriculum consists of a foundational program, made up of four core units of study. These units are compulsory for all students and include the following:

–– HRTD 6901 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms I
–– HRTD 6902 - Human Rights and Democratisation Research
–– HRTD 6903 - Dynamics of Human Rights Violations
–– HRTD 6904 - Democratisation: Theory and Practice

Having completed these four units, students will undertake a one-week intensive,
HRTD6905 - Human Rights and Democratisation Intensive, also at the University
of Sydney. The inter-sessional intensive will provide a specific opportunity for students to engage with leading human rights experts and practitioners and take their conceptual studies in the first semester into a more practice-focussed dialogue.

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Second Semester - Regional Partner University
The second semester is conducted at the four regional partner universities and students will be asked to nominate preferences for their course of study. Once allocated, all students follow two core compulsory units:

–– HRTD 6906 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms II
–– HRTD 6907 - Critical and Emerging Regional Issues

In addition to the two core compulsory units, students will choose one of the two
following options:

(1) HRTD 6908 - Human Rights and Democratisation Dissertation OR
(2) HRTD 6909 - Human Rights and Democratisation Internship

The dissertation unit offers students the opportunity to undertake supervised research in an area of specialisation pertaining to human rights and democratisation. Each student writes a 15,000 to 18,000 word thesis consisting of an original academic piece of work. The research may incorporate field research undertaken in-country.

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Students can also apply for a 6-week internship placement in an intergovernmental, governmental or non-governmental organisation specialising in human rights and democratisation. Unit HRDT6909 will give selected students
an opportunity to immediately put into practice the knowledge acquired throughout the academic year with an aim to acquiring and improving practical work experience, establishing a dialogue between the students and the host organisation, and fostering access to the job market.
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3 career
opportunities Upon completion of the degree, graduates are expected to gain both
academic and practical skills. Graduates will have both the ability to undertake independent scholarly research on current human rights and democratisation issues in the Asia Pacific and skills to put their academic understanding and practical experience to use in real situations. Above all, the objective of the degree is to provide graduates with the capacity to think innovatively, critically and creatively about human rights and democratisation, and thereby to take up leadership positions in organisations across the region. The degree will also be a gateway to a vibrant international community, connecting graduates to an invaluable personal and professional network.

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4 To be eligible for admission, applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in either humanities or social sciences or law from a recognised university or tertiary institution; or a Bachelor’s Degree in another area as deemed relevant by the University of Sydney and its partners. English is the official language of instruction of the MHRD (Asia Pacific). International English Language Testing System (IEL TS) score of 6.5 or above is required with no band below 6.0 (or equivalent in a recognised test), or, evidence of having completed a degree in which the language of the institution and of instruction, examination and assessment was English, as certified by the Registrar of the university.

Relevant practical experience in the area of human rights and/or democracy or a related field (for example, humanitarian aid or development) in inter-governmental, governmental, or non-governmental organisations is desirable but not required.

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Applicants should also show a demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights and democratisation.

admission requirements

5 Course Fee

The course fees for the MHRD (Asia Pacific) are as follows:
–– Postgraduate Domestic Course Fee: AUD16,500
(AUD275 per credit point)*
–– Postgraduate International Course Fee: AUD26,400
(AUD440 per credit point)*

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*Please note that students are required to take 60 credit points of study during the one-year program. The information provided on the University of Sydney website regarding tuition fees shows the indicative tuition fees based on 48 credit points, which is the standard per annum study load.

To calculate the total cost of your course at the current year’s rate, multiply the credit points required for completion by the cost per credit point above. The University of Sydney’s tuition fees, domestic and international, are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study.

Financial Support 34 Human Rights and Democratisation Scholarship (HRDS), covering course fees and a living and travel allowance, will be offered to outstanding applicants from across the Asia Pacific region.

Scholarships will be available to citizens of the following countries:

Afghanistan
Australia
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
China
Cook Islands
Fiji
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Japan
Kiribati
Lao PDR
Maldives
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Federated States of
Micronesia
Mongolia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
Niue
North Korea
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Samoa
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tokelau
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wallis & Futuna

The HRDS covers your tuition fees for the degree program as well as:

–– A contribution towards your living expenses during the two semesters to the full amount of AUD$12,000; and

–– A contribution toward your airfares from country of residence – Sydney – partner university – country of residence up to a total value of $AUD1,8001.

The HRDS is funded by the European Commission and the University of Sydney. The award of scholarships will be determined by academic qualifications and potential contribution to human rights and democratisation.

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International students2 should submit the Postgraduate Coursework Application Form and the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) Supplementary Application Form for International Students as well as any
additional documentation requested in these forms.

Domestic students3 should submit the Clinical Doctorate, Master’s by Coursework, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate form and the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) Supplementary application Form for Domestic Students as well as any additional documentation requested in these forms.

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Applications with inadequate documentation will not be processed. Applications forms can be found on the University of Sydney website.

1 As the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) is funded by a grant from the European Union and received by the University of Sydney in Euro, the dollar amounts stated in this letter may be subject to change in accordance with any currency fluctuations.

2 You are an international fee-paying student if you are NO T an Australian citizen (including dual citizens), or a New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens),or a permanent resident of Australia.

3 You are a domestic fee-paying student if you are an Australian citizen (including dual citizens), a New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens), or a permanent resident of Australia. New Zealand permanent residents are classified as international students and should complete the Application for International Students.

International students should submit their application by mail or email to:

International Office
Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
The University of Sydney
NS W 2006, Australia

E io.applications@sydney.edu.au

Domestic students should submit their application by mail or email to:
Postgraduate Section,
Faculty of Arts
Lobby H, Main Quadrangle A14
The University of Sydney
NS W 2006, Australia
E arts.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au

closing dates
The closing date for applications for the 2011/12 intake is 30 April, 2011. Applications received after this date may be accepted but there is no guarantee that late applications will be able to be processed in time for commencement in the nominated semester.

Scholarship applicants must submit their applications by 10 December 2010. There is no provision to accept late scholarship applications.

7 further information
For further information on the University of Sydney and its partner universities, please visit the following websites:

–– The University of Sydney: sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation –– Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia): www.ugm.ac.id/eng

–– Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal): http://www.ksl.edu.np/

–– Mahidol University (Thailand): http://www.humanrights-mu.org/

–– University of Colombo (Sri Lanka): http://www.cshr.org/

For any questions, or for a copy of the application forms, please contact:
Faculty of Arts (for domestic students)
T +61 2 9351 3240 or +61 2 9351 4807

E arts.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au
sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation
International Office (for international students)
T +61 2 8627 8300
E io.info@sydney.edu.au

sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice

partner universities

––Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia): www.ugm.ac.id/eng
––Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal): www.ksl.edu.np
––Mahidol University (Thailand): www.humanrights-mu.org
––University of Colombo (Sri Lanka): www.cshr.org
Faculty of Arts (for domestic students)

T +61 2 9351 3240 or +61 2 9351 4807
F +61 2 9351 2045
E arts.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au
sydney.edu.au/arts

International Office (for international students)
T +61 2 8627 8300
F +61 2 8627 8387
E io.info@sydney.edu.au
sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice
CRICOS Provider Code 00026A.
faculty of Arts

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p/s sorry for the long silent..