Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

The Institute for Social Development (ISD) is a well-established research institute accommodated in the School of Government at the UWC that provides a long-standing and successful postgraduate programme in Development Studies. The emphasis of the research undertaken and courses offered is on the social and economic challenges which developing countries have to meet in order to transform successfully. Since the 1980s close to 1000 students have completed post-graduate degrees with the ISD, many of whom are now in leading positions in the field of development in South Africa.

Annually about 50 students from 15-20 different countries register for the Honours and Masters programmes in Development Studies. These courses are designed for those planning a career in the field of economic and social development as policy-makers, activists, administrators, developers, researchers or teachers at universities.

ISD and SOG together have a long standing collaboration in the Masters degree programme with the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy at the Ruhr University Bochum, and this is to be expanded through the establishment of the South African German Centre for Development Research.