Getting into United Nations University

Pervin Malhotra

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Getting into United Nations University

Q. I have done my bachelor’s in Political Science. Can you tell me something about the United Nations University as I wish to work in the UN. How much is the fee and are there any scholarships for Indian students? — Disha Jain

A. Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, the United Nations University (UNU) is  the research and academic arm of the United Nations. It has 15 research and training institutes in 13 countries across 5 continents. Each institute has its own focus area that guides its research, training and teaching activities right upto the Doctoral level. 

UNU is the only UN organ that’s mandated to grant degrees. However, not all UNUs offer postgraduate degree or doctoral  programmes as of now. 

As the application procedure, tuition fees and financial support differs from programme to programme; you’ll have to visit the relevant institute’s website for details of specific programme requirements.

Being an educational institution within the UN system, UNU brings together scholars and faculty from both  developing and developed countries to provide a unique  first-hand research experience directly linked with the working of the UN and its specialised agencies.

All research, training and teaching at UNU falls under five thematic clusters:

Peace, security & human rights; Development governance; Population & Health; Global change & sustainable development; Science, technology & society.

While the tuition fees and scholarships differ from programme to programme but all mandate full-time attendance.

A postgraduate degree from UNU will equip you with the knowledge and skills to contribute towards solving global issues -- be it through working with UN agencies, other international organizations, governments, civil society or the private sector. 

Caveat: You don’t necessarily need a UNU degree to work in the UN, and neither does a UNU degree necessarily guarantee a job within the UN. 

However, for information on employment opportunities in the UN, I suggest you  visit: www.un.org/en/employment.

Options in biotech for pharma grads

Q. I have done BPharma course a few years back and am currently employed in a a pharmaceutical firm.  However, I feel that I have a much greater interest and inclination for research – particularly in biotechnology. Am I eligible for pursuing postgraduate courses in biotechnology with my qualifications? What options do I have? — Sudhir Goela

A. You have plenty of options. An interdisciplinary field, Biotechnology offers opportunities for structured study and training at the masters as well as doctoral level. 

And being multidisciplinary in nature, students with a background in a spectrum of biosciences subjects, including BPharma can opt for specialisation in biotechnology at the postgraduate level.

NTA conducts the JNU Combined Entrance Exam for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB) on behalf of several universities including JNU for admission to MTech Biotech, MSc Biotech, MSc (Agri) Biotech & MVSc programs in the last week of-May across the country.

In addition to the postgraduate courses supported by DBT, a large number of other universities and private colleges also offer Master’s degree programmes in Biotechnology. 

Eligibility: BSc degree with a min 50 per cent aggregate (may vary from state to state) with chemistry or biochemistry as a compulsory subject and any one optional subject e.g. botany, applied botany, zoology, environmental science, sericulture, biotechnology or genetics etc.

Admission to most of these institutions is generally based on an entrance exam and/or scores at the bachelor’s level.