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HELLO and WELCOME to our quarterly newsletter, rounding up the latest news and events from UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance. We explore the push and pull of international development: innovation through science and entrepreneurship, and governance through public policy analysis. This time we have a more streamlined look plus a new section, with dedicated social media groups, for our alumni community around the world. |
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Latest News In late September, Prof. Khalid Koser gave his inaugural lecture as Extraordinary Professor in Conflict, Peace and Security at Maastricht University. His lecture asked: "When is Migration a Security Issue?" Also that month, Prof. Bart Verspagen gained an honorary doctorate from the University of Olso in Norway, following a long-term partnership between UNU-MERIT and Oslo’s TIK Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture. In late August, Dr. Lutz Krebs welcomed 100 students from 40 countries on to our top-ranked Master’s in Public Policy and Human Development. And in late July, Dr. Martin Rehm was among the winners of the outstanding paper award at the EdMedia 2014 Conference. |
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Upcoming Events On 23-24 October, Maastricht will host the 2014 European Meeting of the International Microsimulation Association. The conference will focus on all areas of microsimulation including static, behavioural and spatial microsimulation methodologies, covering a wide range of policy domains. Then from 26-28 November, UNU-MERIT will mark its quarter century anniversary with a conference on "Future Perspectives on Innovation and Governance in Development". There will be a number of thematic parallel sessions and a plenary programme with speakers who have played a key role in the institute’s evolution. |
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Recent Publications Innovation and "innovation indicators" are not part of the common lexicon. Not all researchers follow the same definitions, which poses a problem for policymakers, says Prof. Fred Gault in a working paper. Worldwide, universities and colleges are merging to bring economies of scale. Yet the question remains: does bigger always mean better? Our working paper, co-authored by Dr. Nyasha Tirivayi, tackles these and other questions. In science, technology and innovation, China is now a global leader in research and development. A report co-authored by Dr. René Wintjes, studies the latest performance in the People's Republic. For all our latest publications, please see our monthly press review. |
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PhD Defences In late September, Katie Kuschminder successfully defended her thesis on "Female Return Migration and Reintegration in Ethiopia". Many more defences are set for the final quarter of 2014, covering everything from green transport to the evolution of knowledge systems. Check our events calendar for more details. |
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Alumni For our alumni community worldwide, we recently set up alumni groups to share news, events and opportunities: on Facebook (MSc/PhD) and LinkedIn (MSc/PhD). Additionally, Maastricht University's Alumni Office holds regular meetings and networking events for alumni. Click here to export your LinkedIn profile to the alumni database. |
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Social Media Until next time, in early January, please follow us via our social media channels: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Recent highlights include our joint event on innovation for development with the African Union Commission. We also share a project on access to renewable energy technology in poor rural communities in Myanmar. Finally, we look at the latest nanotech coming out of four emerging economies: Brazil, China, India and Mexico. |
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