Program Description

The PhD Program in Sustainable Development is a flagship initiative established through a collaboration between Addis Ababa University, University of Oslo, and University of Malawi. The program balances academic rigor with real-world impact. It is structured around three semesters of intensive coursework followed by original dissertation research (see curriculum on the left), culminating in the award of a doctoral degree.

The program provides a strong scholarly platform that bridges theory and practice. The coursework is designed to cultivate the next generation of critical and systems thinkers who will advance research and discourse on sustainability. Courses are delivered by eminent faculty from Ethiopia, Malawi, and Norway. In addition, the program offers a robust framework for interdisciplinary research and discovery, encouraging students to pursue evidence-based solutions to complex global challenges. Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to conducting high-quality, transformative research that contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future. We invite passionate and aspiring researchers to join the program and benefit from the tools, mentorship, and networks necessary to develop a global perspective with meaningful local impact.