I want to achieve academic and professional success so that I can better contribute to the advancement of my community and humanity. Therefore, I dedicate my efforts to making a difference through professional development, such as studying in the Master’s Degree Programme in Development, Education and International Cooperation, DEICO.
I am Ridwan Abukari from Ghana, a highly enthusiastic mid-career professional with over a decade of experience in rural development and voluntary service. The essence of my life can be encapsulated in one line: "So much to do, so little done," as captured in the poem In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892).
Ensuring equal opportunities to everyone
As a passionate advocate for social justice, my life revolves around community service, selfless leadership, and development. I strive to instill a sense of patriotism and a nation-building mindset in the youth while empowering the marginalized populations in my community. My goal is to contribute to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background—be it ethnicity, tribe, religion, creed, gender, nationality, or race.
While working as a Peace and Development Officer with the local government and volunteering for rights-based organizations, I became deeply involved in seeking justice for victims of social exclusion and abuse, particularly women and children. This experience ignited in me a lifelong concern with culturally embedded models of reparation within local communities and the challenging task of addressing tensions surrounding justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators.
The experiential knowledge I gained convinced me that finding lasting solutions to development problems requires experts with the necessary knowledge and experience to address these issues effectively.
Studying in the DEICO programme gives holistic perspective on complex social issues
In today’s rapidly changing world, I believe there are always new skills to acquire and a need to deepen my understanding of issues, enabling me to develop critical and innovative approaches to solving them.
My previous master’s programme in Development Studies from a reputable European institute had limited application in my field of work, necessitating a second master’s degree due to the evolving nature of my interests as a development practitioner with both local and global concerns. Consequently, my desire to study the Development Education and International Cooperation (DEICO) master’s programme at the Ģֱ (JYU) stemmed from this conviction. This programme aligns seamlessly with my work, particularly in understanding how issues of development and education shape policy and outcomes within and across Ghana.
Through classroom discussions, seminars, and group assignments, the DEICO programme has equipped me with the ability to reason logically and engage in constructive debates about development theories and practices. While fostering in me a holistic perspective on complex social issues, the courses such as Political Economies of Development, Advanced Research Methods, Integrated Research Communication, International Development Policies and Practices, Classics of Development Theory and others have imbued me with advanced knowledge, analytical skills and a critical thinking mindset necessary to appreciate and address development issues.
Revolution of the “Regime of truths”
With my background in development as a field of study and practice, I can vouch for DEICO as a programme that stimulates curiosity and open-mindedness, encouraging one to sift through various perspectives before forming conclusions.
DEICO has inspired me to question my own assumptions and those of others, particularly mainstream ideologies and approaches that have become accepted as the "Regime of Truths," in Michel Foucault's words. These truths, which often promote a one-size-fits-all approach in development interventions, have consistently led to failures, particularly in the Global South.
While I do not undermine the power of collaboration and partnership in development policy and practice, the DEICO programme has made me to appreciate the fact that even borrowed policy interventions should be adaptable enough to suit local realities. This enables people to make sense of their personal struggles and conditions and develop solutions organically inspired from within.
Why DEICO programme?
What sets the DEICO programme apart is its teaching methodology, the dedication of both teaching and non-teaching staff, and the small class sizes that allow for effective interaction among participants.
The DEICO programme’s multidisciplinary approach to demystifying complex development issues is unique and has provided me with hands-on training through engagement with experts from civil society organizations, rights-based organizations, development practitioners, and NGOs.
The methods of assessment—individual essays, group work, and oral presentations—have been particularly beneficial to me. I have acquired new skills and improved upon existing ones, including critical and analytical writing, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills.
The DEICO programme’s multidisciplinary approach to demystifying complex development issues is unique and has provided me with hands-on training through engagement with experts from civil society organizations, rights-based organizations, development practitioners, and NGOs. This approach has not only improved my ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts but also allowed me to forge networks with practitioners and experts, leading to internship and job opportunities.
I am now professionally and intellectually prepared to respond to the diverse interests and expectations of stakeholders both within Ghana and beyond, generating innovative policy options and programmes to improve the living conditions of my people back home.
Demystifying thesis writing
As a budding researcher, the Thesis Seminar courses in the DEICO programme have been particularly impactful, consistently improving my research knowledge and skills. These seminars have prepared me to construct theoretically informed arguments that are coherent and well-structured, knitting together ideas, concepts, and theories with relevant practical examples.
Unlike my previous experience, where the thesis usually commenced at the end of coursework and often created pressure to meet deadlines, the DEICO programme takes a unique approach to demystifying thesis writing. From the start, students identify their topics of interest and work through a series of seminar presentations where participants and advisors help refine ideas as work progresses. This process allows for a strong grasp of the subject matter before fieldwork begins.
With this innovative approach, and depending on the study plan, one can complete the programme within a year and a few months instead of the official two-year period.
Skills to understand and deal with complex topics
The coursework of DEICO has provided me with the opportunity to acquire theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge about development issues, and broadened my understanding of how my liberal arts skills—reading, writing, researching, and problem-solving—are applied in real-life situations. This aspect of the master’s programme has motivated me to go the extra mile in ensuring that I consider a wide range of perspectives, including those I may disagree with.
I have become resolute and clear in navigating complex fields of development theory and practice, particularly in gender and social justice-related subjects. I have also developed critical thinking skills that enable me to constructively engage with and comment on even the most complex and abstruse literature.
Ģֱ offers top tier learning environments
The scientific quality and social impact of the research conducted at JYU were key factors in my search for a university and programme to study abroad. JYU has consistently been an excellent center for learning, with a tradition of innovative and groundbreaking research.
The university’s amazing library and ICT services are top-notch. The modern library system, with its extensive collection of up-to-date print and e-resources, makes learning enjoyable and fun. Unlike my previous experience at a European university where students bore some of the costs for certain services, JYU provides access to many software tools for free once you become a member of the university community.
JYU is a microcosm of the United Nations
The cross-cultural exposure that comes with studying in a multicultural institution like JYU is crucial for me as an international student. JYU, as a microcosm of the United Nations, has exposed me to many nationalities and professionals.
The university has given me the opportunity to learn and share professional skills and experiences and access a wealth of knowledge and expertise from diverse backgrounds. This exposure has not only broadened my understanding and worldview on social issues but has also become a great asset in creating social and professional networks, which is very important to me in life.
Peer support smoothens your path as a new student
As someone who has been an international student before, I must admit that the Student Ambassadors and International Tutoring Programme at JYU has been invaluable in assisting new students in navigating the complexities of academic and social life in Jyväskylä.
In my case, the tutorship was very helpful in facilitating my visa application process, airport pickup, accommodation arrangements, and course selection. I owe immense gratitude to my former student tutors, especially Felix Dade, a former ambassador and tutor who not only spent countless nights helping me with my visa application process but was also instrumental in my airport pickup and securing my first accommodation.
Comparing this stress-free process to my previous experience in other countries, I can confidently state that JYU is an ideal institution for international students, especially those traveling outside their home countries for the first time.
Knowledge and skills harnessed to create positive change and lasting impact
While reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of the challenges and triumphs of the past months in Finland. Some courses took too much time and energy, given what my goals were. For example, the Finnish language course, which I originally thought would help me to cope with Finnish culture and society, did not fully benefit me. However, the knowledge I gained from my programme will probably serve me in my professional career.
Back home in Ghana, I would be committed to using the knowledge and skills I have acquired to bring about positive change in my community and make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I hope to work in a role where I can use my expertise to contribute meaningfully to these efforts, whether through policymaking, programme design and implementation, or research and evaluation.
I also envision myself as a researcher, either in private life or in government, focusing on issues related to sustainable development, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I believe that one of the ways to achieve the SDGs, particularly SDGs 5 & 10, which focus on eliminating all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices that endanger the lives of women and girls and advancing gender equality at all levels of society, is through rigorous scientific research that offers solutions.
Inspired by the UN system and the Ghanaian government's commitment to ensuring social justice for all citizens, I am confident that the knowledge I have gained in the DEICO programme has adequately prepared me to contribute to Ghana’s implementation of these goals and ensure that no goal is overlooked.
PhD, researcher and diplomat – Professional goals for the future
My immediate goal after graduation is to obtain a Ph.D. in gender and development, human rights, peace and conflict, or any field that enhances my passion for social justice. As I advance in this area of research, my plan is to establish a regional research centre focused on advancing women’s rights and freedom within and across Ghana. The centre will achieve this by partnering and collaborating with local, state, and international bodies in advancing this cause.
My long-term professional goal is to work as a researcher for the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), an international organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality worldwide, with a particular focus on Africa. While AWID would allow me to serve, my ultimate dream is to become a principal researcher at UN Women, the United Nations entity responsible for gender equality and the empowerment of women. My ultimate aspiration is to occupy the highest post of the UN Secretary-General, becoming another Ghanaian diplomat to assume this position since Mr. Kofi Annan, who served as the 7th UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006.
I aim to retire as an international diplomat who has received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of my remarkable contributions to advancing women’s rights and freedoms worldwide and promoting global peace, security, and social justice for all.
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