Institute of Policy Studies

About

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is part of a thriving intellectual community of scholars and academics at UBD, with a special orientation towards the critical analyses and examination of policies and governance. In today’s world, we are confronted with the realities of a multitude of challenges that affect communities and individuals within various contexts, social and political environments. At IPS, we attempt to unpack these challenges, and sensitise our scholars to reframe their thinking in ways that will enable them to address fundamental questions related to how different levels of the policy community and stakeholders can best approach policy issues.

 

A focus on policy planning and formulation, analysis and evaluation, and most importantly, the implementation of policies, is crucial to the way teaching and learning are conducted at IPS. Students are exposed to various frameworks, methods, and tools used in various developmental settings, tasks, and situations, to help them explore both historical and contemporary issues in governance and policy design. Emphasis is also placed on a comparative perspective specifically in relation to economic globalisation, sustainability, environmental crises, political, and governmental studies within a global context.

 

IPS vision is to be recognised amongst the world’s leading providers of educational services in the field of public policy and management, with specific reference to Islamic Governance, Energy and Environmental Policy and Management.

 

The strategic goals of IPS are:

• to strengthen the research capacity through active contribution to the development of public policy research and publications and advance progressive ideas through a range of projects in key issue areas (Research);
• to increase the size and impact of graduate programmes by providing efficient and effective method of delivery with a sustained, high-impact educational experience and practices (Teaching and Learning);
• to raise the reputation of IPS as a strong and innovative contributor to knowledge and the professional development of public managers at both national and international levels (Internationalisation); and
• to provide high quality training (including conference, workshop and seminar) in policy arenas with emphasis on the development of skills, knowledge and attitudes (Services).

 

Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM)

The MPPM is a flagship programme at IPS that combines a period of time spent at the UBD campus as well as a semester at one of the following world-renowned partner policy schools in the United States of America:

• McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
• School of Public Policy, University of Maryland
• Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University
• Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley

The total duration of this course is twelve months, which is broken down as follows:

• First Semester: Normally commences in August, at the UBD campus, with an exam period between November and December.
• Second Semester: The USA Semester. Students are advised earlier on to declare their choice of policy school, and will then work with the Graduate Studies Coordinator of IPS for study and travel arrangements. In the US, students will have a chance to conduct a one-week study visit to Washington, D.C. where they will meet with people from key policy-making institutions, including the House of Congress, policy think tanks, and non-profit organizations.
• Summer Semester: Typically spans June to July, at the UBD campus. Students returning from the USA will sit for two core intensive modules and work vigorously on their Public Policy Analysis Project, where they will make their final presentations to an audience of professionals and members of the academic community. Examination commences in July.

The MPPM currently specialises in an important niche area that is uniquely found at UBD. This area of studies, Islamic Governance, is our contribution towards the contemporary discourse on what constitutes ‘good governance’, from an Islamic perspective. Students will explore the theological, juristic, and cultural notions and values surrounding the concept. At IPS, emphasis is not just placed on qualitative assessments of issues, but also empirical evidence and the quantification of Islamic Governance.

 

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Who Should Apply

Outstanding young professionals both from Brunei Darussalam and abroad with relevant experience and a keen desire to learn from a distinguished international group of professionals.

 

Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM)