Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy AGDA Current Prospectus
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) (Arabic: أكاديمية أنور قرقاش الدبلوماسية), formerly the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) (Arabic: أكاديمية الإمارات الدبلوماسية), is an autonomous federal diplomatic research and civil service training institute in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Founded in 2014 by the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, it serves members of the UAE’s foreign service community and prepares Emirati diplomats as well as other professionals to advance the country’s foreign affairs interests overseas.
History
The Emirates Diplomatic Academy was established under Cabinet Decree No. 29 issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates on August 19, 2014. The institute opened its door to students in September 2015 and graduated its first batch of students in 2016.
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy AGDA Courses Offered
POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in UAE Diplomacy and International Relations
Overview
The Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in UAE Diplomacy and International Relations is a nine-month accredited programme that educates students in the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the 21st-century world of international affairs.
While the majority of our students are new members of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), the AGDA also accepts applicants from government and semi-government organisations across the UAE. In order to be eligible, applicants must be nominated by their respective organisations.
PGD Curriculum
The PGD programme is a 24-credit programme offered throughout one academic year.
The Academic Core Courses (Total of 12 credits)
A. Foundations of Diplomacy I: Global Diplomatic History (2 credits)
B. Foundations of Diplomacy II: Theory & Practice of International Relations (2 credits)
C. Global UAE I: International Law (2 credits)
D. Global UAE II: UAE Foreign Policy (2 credits)
E. UAE State & Society I: History & Government (2 credits)
F. UAE State & Society II: Economy (2 credits)
Elective Courses (Total of 6 credits)
Students take three courses from the following options:
A. Public & Cultural Diplomacy (2 credits)
B. Economic Diplomacy (2 credits)
C. Thematic Issues in Diplomacy & International Relations (2 credits)
D. Modern History & Contemporary Politics of the Middle East (2 credits)
E. Peace Process & Conflict Resolution (2 credits)
F. Global Institutions (2 credits)
Skills Course (Total of 6 credits)
A. Research Methods (1 credit)
B. Negotiation (1 credit)
C. Diplomatic Communication: English (1 credit)
D. Diplomatic Communication: Arabic (1 credit)
E. Protocol & Etiquette (1 credit)
F. Consular Diplomacy & Crisis Management (1 credit)
In addition, students have to complete a mandatory nine-month module in a third language of their choice. Language courses offered at the AGDA include but are not limited to French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Russian, Korean and Hebrew.
To apply for the AGDA’s Post-Graduate Diploma programme and begin a career in diplomacy, candidates must:
A. Be UAE nationals or children of Emirati mothers residing in the UAE.
B. Already have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
C. Have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or expect to receive the test result with a score of 6.5 soon..
D. Be 35 years old or younger.
E. Understand that by joining AGDA, they are also applying for employment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC).
F. Be willing to travel and serve abroad.
G. Have completed their national service (for male applicants).
Candidates must also have:
A. Passion for serving the UAE and representing the country abroad
B. Keen interest in foreign policy and international affairs
C. Team spirit with the ability to encourage and support others
D. Desire to travel the world and willingness to adapt to different cultures
E. Impeccable conduct and the highest ethical standards
F. Analytical and creative thinking
G. Diverse cross-cultural skills and experience
H. Well-developed leadership capabilities
I. Ability to work under pressure
MASTERS
Master of Arts (MA) programme in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership
Programme Description
The MA in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership (MAGAD), formerly known as the MA in Diplomacy and International Relations, was launched in October 2017 as an accredited programme that aims to equip students with greater knowledge of global and regional issues and with an advanced grasp of important diplomatic skills.
The MA is a 30-credit programme where students acquire the ability to think critically about important political and economic trends while gaining first-hand training in advanced negotiations and mediation, public diplomacy, leadership and crisis management in the field of diplomacy.
MAGAD is an accredited graduate programme that is open to candidates who have already completed their Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (or equivalent) and who have scored 6.5 or above on their IELTS exam.
Programme Structure
The MAGAD programme is a 30-credit programme that can be completed in one academic year (full-time) or in two academic years (part-time).
Students who choose to take the program on a full-time basis can expect to attend evening classes throughout the week (Monday – Thursday), from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on the AGDA campus. Students who opt for the part-time option can expect to attend evening classes twice a week for a duration of two academic years.
All students in the MAGAD programme have to complete 4 core or required courses (of 12 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits) and a Master’s Thesis (6 credits). Work on the MA thesis begins throughout the academic year with a defense date scheduled in either June or September.
Programme Structure for AGDA Alumni
AGDA alumni who successfully completed the Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) programme in UAE Diplomacy and International Relations can enrol in MAGAD. They are required to complete 12 credits worth of coursework, which includes 6 credits of coursework and 6 credits for the MA thesis.
Alumni can expect to complete the programme in one academic year by taking one course per semester and defending their thesis in either June or September.
Programme Content and Courses
The MAGAD programme balances core courses, electives and the MA thesis. Core courses are required courses for all MAGAD students, whereas students can choose the elective courses that they wish to enrol in. The MA Thesis is also required of all MA students. The courses are:
Core Courses – Total: 12 credits:
– Contemporary Global Affairs (3 credits)
– International Economics (3 credits)
– Public Diplomacy, Leadership and Crisis Management (3 credits)
– International Negotiation and Mediation: Strategy and Methods (3 credits)
Elective Courses – Total 12 credits:
Students take 4 courses from the following options:
– Special Topics in Regional Studies – which could include the following courses:
• African Political Systems
• Trends in Gulf-Asia-Africa Foreign Relations
• China and the Middle East
• Trends in European – Middle Eastern Foreign and Security Policies
– Special Topics in Thematic Issues – which could include the following courses:
• Science Diplomacy
• Comparative Politics
• The Geopolitics of Food Security
• Countering Global Terrorism and Extremism
Humanitarian Crises and Refugees
MA Thesis – Total: 6 credits:
The MA Thesis starts in the Fall semester with a defence date set for either June or September of the following academic year.
Eligibility and Admissions
Candidates who wish to enrol in the MAGAD programme can apply online through the AGDA admissions portal. The deadline to apply is March 27. Apply here.
For the academic year, admissions criteria include the following:
– Being a UAE national
– Having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
– A minimum IELTS score of 6.5
Completed applications are forwarded to AGDA’s admissions committee, which is responsible
for reviewing and evaluating applications.
Candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the programme in March by the end of the academic year.
Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The PLOs for the MA programme include:
PLO1: Global and Thematic Knowledge: Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will acquire a strong and advanced understanding of current and historical policies, events and practices happening in a region of the world that is central to the national interests of the UAE.
They will also be able to understand and use the conceptual tools in comparative politics and will be able to critically evaluate and analyse regional issues related to the study of international relations and foreign policy. Students will also acquire an advanced understanding in a field of study of their choice, in security, development, international organisations, cultural diplomacy and/or economics and trade.
PLO2: Research and Critical Thinking: Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will demonstrate a strong capacity to successfully conduct individual research projects. Students will use advanced research tools, while investigating complex issues related to diplomacy, foreign policy and international relations, by critically examining a range of sources to produce substantive and analytical research papers and theses.
PLO3: Diplomatic Leadership Skills: Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate leadership, managerial and strategic skills, while carrying out their work, and will proudly carry out the mission of UAE foreign policy and diplomacy, during their tenure at the AGDA and beyond, in an ethical, responsible, sensible and tactful manner.
Open: Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy AGDA Current Prospectus
Contact Us
For more enquiries or to request a proposal for any Executive Training programme(s), please contact us on:
Email: training@eda.ac.ae