Joining the GLODEP program marked the beginning of an exciting, internationally‑focused chapter in my life. It became the key steppingstone that propelled my career forward and opened the door to my current role as Counselor at the Permanent Mission of my country to the World Trade Organization handling,issues as Market Access, Agriculture, E-commerce among others. Throughout the program, GLODEP exposed me to a wide spectrum of opportunities and equipped me with a solid foundation across multiple fields. Given my background, I chose to specialize in international trade. Between the second and third semesters, during the summer break, I secured an internship at the Permanent Mission of El Salvador in Geneva — which is now my workplace. Later, during my fourth semester and while writing my thesis, I completed another internship at the International Trade Centre (ITC). Looking back, it was truly a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience. Each country in the program has its own personality, and in...

I am Dilshoda Marufova, a GLODEP graduate of 2020-2022, currently working as a Project Management Officer at UNOPS in Copenhagen, Denmark. My professional journey began shortly after graduation with an internship, which led to a full-time position after four months. In my current role, I coordinate the implementation of development projects and manage grant portfolios across multiple countries, contributing to impactful initiatives, particularly in the environmental sector. GLODEP was a life-changing experience that shaped both my professional path and personal perspective. The program’s structure, which combines development studies with a strong economic perspective, is closely aligned with my career aspirations. Studying across three universities in different countries, alongside a diverse and international cohort, provided not only theoretical knowledge but also a global mindset. Many of my classmates remain close friends, and this network continues to be valuable both personally...

I am currently based in Lausanne, Switzerland, working as an e-Learning Assistant at the European Respiratory Society (ERS). In this role, I coordinate the full lifecycle of international webinars and digital educational events. GLODEP was instrumental in preparing me for this by providing a high-level understanding of international stakeholder management and the ability to work across diverse cultural and administrative frameworks. I chose GLODEP because of its unique Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree structure. Having the opportunity to study at Palacký University (Czech Republic), Clermont Auvergne University (France), and the University of Pavia (Italy) was a decisive factor. I wanted a program that offered a truly multidisciplinary approach to development, combining foresight, policy, and economics across different European contexts. The program taught me how to stay organized while navigating complex, multi-layered challenges. I learned how to synthesize information from various fields...

I currently serve in a dual role at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Zambia Country Office as a MineTech Hub Community and Ecosystem Engagement Officer and an Innovation Assistant under the University Innovation Pod (UniPod). My work focuses on supporting the growth and establishment of Zambia’s innovation ecosystem through program design, stakeholder engagement, implementation, and evaluation. A key part of my journey has been contributing to the setup of the first-ever UniPod in Zambia, as well as supporting the establishment of the MineTech Hub. Through this work, I have been involved in program design and rollout, stakeholder coordination, and reporting. I strongly believe that GLODEP played a key role in preparing me for this position. The program equipped me with a global perspective and the ability to navigate complex development challenges – qualities that are essential in my current role. I chose GLODEP because it built naturally on my undergraduate studies...

I am currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography at Trinity College Dublin, where I work on questions related to climate justice and just energy transitions in the West of Ireland. My research draws on feminist methodologies, collaborative ethnography, and political ecology, with a particular focus on spatial justice in the bioeconomy, specifically biogas and biomethane production. Within my department, I teach undergraduate and master students across a range of topics in human geography, including fieldwork skills, qualitative research methods, rural development, and climate justice. GLODEP provided me with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in global studies, sharpened my critical perspective on inequality and economic development, and gave me the confidence to pursue independent research. I chose GLODEP for its joint-degree structure and its genuinely international approach to development studies. The opportunity to study in diverse national and institutional contexts...

I am currently working as an Evaluation Manager at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK. As part of the Eden Centre at LSE, I design and conduct research and evaluation to promote education enhancement, social mobility, and equality. The knowledge and experience gained from GLODEP have enabled me to analyze and tackle socio-economic challenges with intersectional lenses and inclusive approaches. That has directly contributed to the meaningful engagement with my topics of research, and the development of relevant, practical recommendations.   Measuring the impacts of equal access to quality education on socio-economic development has been a central part of my career as a researcher and evaluator. GLODEP was an invaluable opportunity for me to discuss and explore this topic through an inclusive curriculum and in an engaging global classroom. The combination of the three universities’ strengths in development studies and foresight, development economics,...

What is your current position/job, and how did you use GLODEP master’s experience/its courses to acquire this position?  I currently serve as a Strategy, Planning & Management Office (SPMO) Analyst within the Financial Institutions Group of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where I support Advisory and Upstream Services across the Europe and Latin America & Caribbean regions. GLODEP directly supported my ability to obtain this position, as a master’s degree was a formal requirement. In addition, the program strengthened my analytical and strategic thinking skills, preparing me well for the expectations of an international development finance institution such as the IFC.  Why did you decide to come to study GLDOEP at Palacky University/Olomouc/Czech Republic?  Growing up in Mexico City provided me with a first-hand perspective on how inequality, governance challenges, and institutional weaknesses affect people’s daily lives. This experience deepened my interest...

What is your current position/job, and how did you use IDS master’s experience/its courses to acquire this position?  I am currently a Data Scientist at JobPricing in Italy, where I develop data analytics pipelines, build dashboards, manage SQL databases, and conduct statistical modelling on labour and compensation datasets. My IDS master’s experience played a central role, strengthening analytical thinking, exposing me to multidisciplinary approaches, and providing hands-on training with international datasets.  How was it to study in Olomouc? What were the major challenges?  Studying in Olomouc was enriching. The city is peaceful and ideal for academic focus. Challenges included adapting to a new academic system, language barriers a significantly different society, challenges that strengthened my resilience and independence.  What were your biggest learnings during the master’s course?  Key learnings included integrating social, economic, and environmental perspectives,...