Migration

Migration Management
Management Diploma
Diploma Programme
Programme (MMDP)
(MMDP)

United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research

Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT)

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, contracted by ICMPD through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF). The contents of this document
are the sole responsibility of Maastricht University Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University and can under no ci rcumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the
European Union and the one of ICMPD.

Funded by Contracted by
 Overview 3
• Introduction
• The Host Institute
• Course Structure

Programme & Course Descriptions 4

• Course Objectives
• Migration Management and Protection
• Migration & Development
• Migration Policy

Teaching Methods 5
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
• Hands-on Learning
• Digital Learning Environment

Assessment & Admissions 6

• Continuous Assessment
• Diploma
• Admissions
• Course Dates & Fees
• Scholarships

Practical Information 7
• Facilities
• Accommodation
• Covid-19

Maastricht University is a signatory of the ‘Code of conduct with

respect to international participants in Dutch Higher Education’.
More information about this code of conduct is available at
www.internationalstudy.nl

2 UNU-MERIT | 2023-2024
 Overview

Introduction
Its research and training programmes address a broad range of
The Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) is
questions including the economics of technology and innovation,
designed for government officials with experience in the field of
national and international governance, intellectual property
migration and asylum. It is also open to other practitioners and
protection, social protection policy, knowledge creation and
students interested in the management of migration and asylum
diffusion, and migration.
policies. Running for three months entirely on a full-time basis,
the course uses a range of teaching and evaluation methods
Researchers at UNU-MERIT are internationally recognised for
including lectures and interactive sessions with participants.
their contributions to the understanding of the economic, political,
Special attention is paid to hands-on practical exercises, notably
social and philosophical foundations of the processes of
via the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method.
technical change. UNU-MERIT has a history of project
implementation for various international institutions including the
The MMDP aims to develop theoretical knowledge as well as
World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, ILO and national governments,
practical skills such as articulation and presenting; how to write
focusing on social policy and migration developments. The
briefs, policy notes and memoranda; how to formulate evidence-
institute also participates in research projects for international
based policy; and how to work in a group and deal with conflicting
organisations, governments, businesses, and foundations
interests. Also on the agenda are seminars devoted to health,
throughout the world. Beyond working with and for other UN
education and institutions, as well as scenario building sessions
bodies, the institute has a long history of conducting applied
focusing on country case studies. In the scenario building
research for organisations such as the European Commission,
sessions, participants create migration scenarios for their own
the International Development Research Centre, and numerous
countries, which have proven to be of great help when forming
national governments.
policy. Overall, the course will equip participants with a range of
new skills and insights, as well as practical and interactive
experiences of how to apply the latest knowledge in the field of Course Structure
migration management.
This MMDP is made up of three main courses: i. Migration
Management and Protection, ii. Migration & Development, and
The Host Institute iii. Migration Policy.

UNU-MERIT is a research and training institute of United Nations

Each of the three main courses is deliberately broken down into
University. The institute is also part of Maastricht University,
four one-week blocks, making the learning process both
based in the southeast Netherlands. The institute’s research
structured and digestible. To ensure the quality of the
mission is to provide new insights into the economic, social and
programme there are 40 hours per week – including contact
political aspects of growth and development in local and
hours and self-preparation - with special attention paid to
international contexts.
interactive exercises and practical workshops (see p.5 for more
details of our Problem-Based Learning approach).

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 Programme & Course Descriptions

The course familiarises participants with a range of tools while Also covered are the major legal frameworks relating to
ensuring they are effectively monitored by means of various migration, including the Migration for Employment Convention
evaluation methods. These include brief written assignments, 1949; the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol; and the
papers, presentations, oral evaluations, group participation and 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of
interactive work. A mix of useful information about the study All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Participants
period is available online for participants to access before, during hear about the relevance to migration of core UN texts, including
and for up to a year after the course. For more details, please the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1991
see the MMDP page. The agenda also includes field trips across Convention on the Rights of the Child; as well as the 2000 UN
Europe including a tour of Dutch Ministries in The Hague, of EU Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,
institutions in Brussels, and intergovernmental agencies in Especially of Women and Children. A further focus is put on
Geneva. Dutch Migration Management and Protection, covering a range
of issues from asylum to employment to return.

Course Objectives
ii. Migration & Development
The course has three overarching objectives:
How migration fits into the development debate is the main focus
• Understand different types of migrants and migration of this course. This relates to the size and directions of
experiences, and analyse how different legal channels of international migration, the causes and motivations for
migration affect fulfilment of basic human rights for migrants; migration, and the overall relationship between migration and
• Anticipate how different forms of mobility affect the development. The course also considers the effects of migration
development trajectories and outcomes of migrants and the at the macro, meso and micro levels in various sending and
communities and countries from which they leave and into receiving countries.
which they enter;
• Analyse, deconstruct and reimagine the design of migration- Further themes within the migration and development module
related policies to support better-informed, more holistic include remittances, labour migration (brain drain, circular
migration management. migration/brain gain, role of the diaspora, return migration),
sustainable return and reintegration, and the social
i. Migration Management and Protection consequences of migration.

The first aspects covered in this course are migration definitions,

concepts and statistics. Also on the agenda are the main
iii. Migration Policy
international conventions relevant to the management and This course aims to increase participants’ knowledge of EU
protection of migrants. The course begins with an introduction to policies on asylum and migration, especially the external
migration studies which includes an overview of data, flows, and dimension. This relates to major dialogues and instruments for
types of migrants, as well as the various kinds of organisations development with third countries and regions. In parallel, the
working in migration management and protection. course covers the various policy options available for migration
management and the development of origin countries. Overall
this course examines a broad range of issues, including
comparative immigration, emigration and integration policies of
sending and receiving countries; as well as diaspora
engagement policies.

A major practical focus will involve designing policies for

migration and development, diaspora engagement,
immigration, and emigration. Policy models include the EU
Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM); the Rabat
and Prague-processes; and the UN High Level Dialogue on
International Migration and Development. Their corresponding
action-plans and overall policy coherence will also be studied.

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 Teaching Methods
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Hands-on Learning
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) puts participants at the core of At the end of the diploma programme, participants will have
the learning process, allowing them to gain knowledge in the acquired knowledge and skills relating to:
context of complex, multifaceted and realistic problems. The
goals of PBL are to help participants develop flexible • the most important international conventions/protocols which
knowledge, effective problem-solving skills, self-directed are of importance for national legislation with regard to
learning, effective collaboration skills and intrinsic motivation. border-control, entrance(access), asylum, residence,
Working in groups, participants identify what they already know, deportation, and readmission
what they need to know, and how and where to access new
• the foreign asylum and migration policy of the EU (global
information that may lead to resolution of the problem.
approach to migration and mobility) and of the Dutch priorities
The role of the tutor is that of a learning facilitator who provides
in the field of asylum and international migration;
appropriate structure, support and modelling of the process while
monitoring the learning. This approach works particularly well for • legal frameworks surrounding migration;
participants who have both academic and working experience. It
has yielded some of the best results with mid-level career • the mandate and decision-making of inter-state organisations

professions, including in several training programmes conducted such as UNHCR and IOM within the field of refugees and

by our institute with UNICEF staff. Besides lectures, PBL migration;

sessions, group work sessions and other interactive settings, we

• aspects of migration management which are clearly needed
offer online symposia, educational trips, access to institute
to make migration a positive aspect of development;
seminars and a scenario-building workshop in the third course.
In the scenario-building workshop, participants create migration • the links between migration and development;
scenarios for their own countries, which can be of great help
• the most important themes and visions of receiving and
when forming policy.
sending countries within the international debate on migration
and development within the framework of the UN and the
Digital Learning Environment Global Forum on Migration and Development;

The University of Maastricht (UM) digital learning environment, • how to implement the knowledge gained, how to develop
also known as Canvas, is an integrated part of teaching curricula, written policy analysis and recommendations, and how to use
study programmes and external training programmes. The UM the new skills and insights in a narrative discussion in the form
Canvas is used by thousands of participants every year and has of role plays;
a practical user-friendly manual. Participants in the diploma
programme will receive an e-mail upon enrollment to the • problem analysis; writing briefs, policy notes and memoranda;
programme with their access codes, a user-manual in PDF, and creating well-informed evidence-based policy; presentation
a user instruction movie. UNU-MERIT Graduate School will skills, articulation skills, ability to work in a group and to deal
provide a short introduction session on Canvas once participants with conflicting interests; and scenario building;
have arrived in the Netherlands.
• how to formulate evidence-based migration policy.
The UM virtual learning environment provides access to:

• course materials, including schedules, presentations, lecture

recordings; collaborative learning facilities; a discussion
forum; document sharing; blogs, wikis and social
bookmarking;
• e-library facilities, including electronic books, articles and
journals;

• participant desktop, with access to software such as Endnote,

SPSS, Stata and Microsoft Office;

• on-screen tutorials, e.g. how to analyse immigration data

using STATA;

• video conferencing;

• podcasts;

• alumni section.

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 Assessment & Admissions

 A recent CV explicitly outlining work experience in the field

After completing the MMDP programme, alumni can stay
connected for at least one year through the digital learning of asylum and/or migration;
environment. This provides an alumni section including a blog,
 A passport copy and a passport-size picture;
access to new UNU-MERIT publications, the online UNU-
 Two reference letters, from current or former employers
MERIT migration seminars and YouTube channel. Alumni will
also receive regular updates through e-newsletters and can stay and/ or professors;
connected through the UNU-MERIT Graduate School Facebook
 A portrait style photograph
pages and Twitter feeds.
 A proof of proficiency in English (IELTS / TOEFL);

Continuous Assessment  Copies of degree(s) and transcripts;

 A motivation letter which clearly explains why the applicant

Participants are asked to combine new knowledge gained with
prior work experience in problem-based learning sessions and chose this programme and which convinces the Board of
group discussions. They are therefore able to apply their Admissions that he or she will complete the programme
insights to case studies and problem-based exercises.
successfully;
Educational progress will also be tested in the form of
presentations and written assignments such as comparative  Evidence that applicant is working in the government of an
policy briefs and strategic policy papers. Participants are eligible country in the field of migration and asylum.
monitored every week to make sure they do not fall behind.
 A support letter from the applicant’s employer stating that the

applicant is entitled to focus their time entirely on MMDP and

Diploma
will not be expected to carry out their work duties for the
After completing the courses in the diploma programme,
including all assignments and tests, participants will obtain a duration of the MMDP, and that employment will be retained
Diploma in Migration Management.
throughout the duration of the programme including his/her

salary. Note that without this letter, the application for

Admissions
scholarship will not be considered.
Applications are welcomed from professionals and civil
servants who are working in the area of migration
management. Applications are now being accepted and
the application deadline is 27th October 2023 at 23:59 hrs Course Dates
CET.
The Programme runs from 2 April 2024 until 21 June 2024 and
Eligible applicants for participation in the MMDP programme takes place in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
must fulfil the following criteria:

 Fluency in spoken and written English

 Hold a minimum Bachelor’s university degree

 Applicants must be confident in computer skills to follow

an education programme

 Work as government officials in the field of migration

and/or asylum in one of the eligible countries (see

Scholarships section for list of countries)

To apply to the MMDP, prospective participants need to submit

their application via our online platform:
https://application.merit.unu.edu/mmdp/application/form.php

Please note that in the online application platform prospective

participants will be required to upload the following documents:

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 Facilities & Accommodation

Scholarships
Facilities
Scholarships for the MMDP are available for government
Courses will be provided in lecture rooms. Computers, copy
officials who work in the field of migration and/or asylum in
machines and scanners are available across the university buildings
specific eligible countries.
and library.

For scholarships funded by the European Union through the

Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) of the International Centre All participants will be provided with a UM card, giving access to the
for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), eligible countries university library. The university library provides:
are those in the EU Neighbourhood, Eastern Partnership,
Africa, Western Balkans and South Asia.  a variety of rooms for individual and group work, with or
without computers;
Only a limited number of scholarships are available and are  more than 1300 ergonomic study areas, many equipped with
granted based on merit. Scholarships cover all the costs of the computers;
programme, including travel to the Netherlands, accommodation  a wireless network and laptop outlets;
during the programme, tuition fees, and course materials. To be  a collection of course books put together by tutors (not on
eligible for a scholarship, applicants must provide evidence that loan but permanently available as a reference collection);
they have been working in the government of an eligible country  special collections such as audiovisual material.
in the field of migration and asylum. Participants must obtain
support from their employers in the form of a letter from the The UM card also provides access to UM sports facilities (where a

employer stating that the participant will remain a paid employee small payment is required) and the ‘Studium Generale’ which offers

of their government throughout the duration of the programme and a programme of cultural activities. Course accommodation and the

will continue to receive their salary as per their contractual library are located in the city centre of Maastricht, which includes

agreement. small sandwich bars, supermarkets and restaurants.

Successful applicants for the MMDP will be notified by mid- Accommodation

November 2023 that they have been selected to participate in
the programme. Participants will be facilitated to stay in the city of Maastricht for the
duration of the entire programme. Accommodation shall also be
provided during the various field trips, which will take place during

The candidate selection will be finalised by mid- the programme.

November 2023. After acceptance of the scholarship,
any participant that withdraws for reasons other than Practical Information
force-majeure will be liable to reimburse all the costs
incurred by the University in relation to their
participation. Cancellation due to force majeure such as The MMDP runs on a full-time basis with an estimated 40 learning
contracting Covid-19 or denial of exit/entry by hours per week. Participants must attend ALL courses every day
government authorities due to Covid19 restrictions will and complete the assignments in time in order to be awarded the
not be liable for reimbursement. Diploma for the programme.

The contact hours of teaching will be approximately four hours per

day from Monday to Friday. In addition, participants will need to
spend four hours per day on assignments and study materials that
will be allocated to them by their tutor. Therefore, participants will
be expected to focus 100% of their time on MMDP and cannot
spend any time on their job/work duties.

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 Although this brochure was made with the utmost care, no rights can be attained from it.
andConcept template:design
|MERIT-UNU Graduate School Pijpers;.HVoisard;Photo/AmandaUN
mages: Keppel-HoogBV,Vormgeversassociatie |
Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University is a

www.merit.unu.edu stimulating environment. Where research and teaching are

complementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent can
flourish. A truly participant-oriented research university.

Contact Information
UNU-MERIT
Migration Management Programme Coordinator: Salpy Ohanis
Boschstraat 24, 6211 AX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 43 388 44 33
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.merit.unu.edu