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Published: 17 November 2005
Tilburg University and Bilkent University launch joint Master's programme in Economics
Starting in 2006 the Faculty of Economics will offer a two-year, English-language master's programme in cooperation with Bilkent University in Turkey. Students will spend one year in Ankara and one year in Tilburg, receiving a dual degree when completing their studies.
By Elke van Cassel
During their first year, in Ankara, students will take courses in theoretical subjects. In their second year, in Tilburg, they will specialize in one of the following fields: Economics, International Economics and Finance, Mathematical Economics and Economic Methods, Operations Research and Management Science, or Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Sciences. Students will complete their studies by writing a master's thesis, which will be approved by a joint committee from both universities. They will receive a Master of Art (MA) degree in Economics from Bilkent University and a specialized Master of Science (MSc) degree from Tilburg University.
This cooperation is part of Tilburg University's aim to increase the international appeal of its master's programmes. Like China, South Africa, and Indonesia, Turkey is a target country selected by the university for structural international cooperation. "The country has enormous potential," says Henk van Gemert, associate dean for international relations with the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. "It has a very young and ambitious population which is looking toward Europe, especially now that Turkey is about to enter the European Union." The goal of this joint master's program is to provide students with analytical and practical skills that will serve the needs of the European business world.
"When I first visited Bilkent to discuss this cooperation," says Van Gemert, "I found that in Turkey most students leave university with a Bachelor's degree. Only those who want to pursue a PhD and an academic career go on for a master's degree. I realized that there is a great need for master's programs, especially applied Master of Science programmes. We have a number of such programmes here in Tilburg." This joint programme thus offers Turkish students a unique opportunity, while making Tilburg University's master's programmes more internationally diverse.
Bilkent University was selected because, like Tilburg University, it aims to be a truly international institution. Founded in 1984, Bilkent University is a relatively new university characterized by an explicitly international outlook. Its academic staff is comprised of individuals from 43 different countries and its courses are taught in English. Bilkent has student exchange programmes with such notable American institutions as the University of California, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Texas, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as with various European universities. The dual degree programme with Tilburg is unique, however, and surpasses the traditional one-semester student exchange agreements.
According to Van Gemert, the joint master's programme was developed initially with Turkish students in mind, but it also offers an interesting opportunity for Dutch students with a special affinity for Turkey, or with a Turkish background. "A number of students from other European countries have also expressed their interest," he adds, "and the two-year program might also appeal to students who would normally have to take a premaster's to get accepted on one of our master's programs. For such Dutch students, the first year of this joint program would offer a broadened analytical perspective." Students will have to fulfil a number of admission requirements. Van Gemert estimates that the program will admit about 15 students a year during its first two or three years. A scholarship program has been created to cover this first period. Van Gemert hopes to secure long-term funding for the joint master's program from the Dutch and Turkish governments, or from the business community.
[EvC]
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