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Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance

Start date: 24 July 2023

Internet governance (IG) has become one of the most important policy areas of our time. The Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance (ADIG) online capacity development programme gives current and future internet policymakers a solid foundation in practical and diplomatic skills, as well as techniques necessary to engage effectively in global policy processes.

Topics like privacy protection, human rights online, and cybersecurity are increasingly in the focus of global policymaking. How we manage the internet will define much of our society, yet the growing relevance of the internet is not yet supported by effective and inclusive IG. 

An interactive online capacity development programme

The Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance (ADIG) gives current and future internet policymakers a solid foundation in practical and diplomatic skills, as well as techniques necessary to engage effectively in global policy processes.

Programme structure

The Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance requires completing three of the five courses on offer within a three-year period, with a grade of at least 75% for each. Candidates must also write at least one final assignment and obtain a grade of at least 70% for the assignment.

Note: Some courses may require all participants to write a final assignment.

The courses currently on offer are:

The programme language is English, giving non-native speakers a valuable opportunity to practise and hone their skills at expressing and explaining work-related concepts in this international language.

Faculty members include high-ranking practising and retired experts as well as renowned academics in the fields of internet governance, diplomacy, and international relations.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme will receive a diploma in internet governance awarded by DiploFoundation. Please note that this is a professional certification issued by DiploFoundation, a non-profit foundation. It is not a university diploma.

Who should apply

This programme will be of interest to:

  • Officials in government ministries, departments, regulatory bodies, or institutions dealing with information society, internet, and ICT-related policy issues (e.g. telecommunications, education, foreign affairs, justice)
  • Postgraduate students, academics, and researchers in the IG field (telecommunications, electrical engineering, law, economics, diplomacy, international relations, development studies)
  • Civil society activists in the IG and Information Society fields
  • Journalists covering IG issues
  • Individuals in internet business-related fields (e.g. ISPs, software developers).

Overview

An interactive online capacity development programme

Internet governance (IG) has become one of the most important policy areas of our time. Topics like privacy protection, human rights online, and cybersecurity are increasingly in the focus of global policymaking. How we manage the internet will define much of our society. Yet the growing relevance of the internet is not yet supported by effective and inclusive IG.

The Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance gives current and future internet policymakers a solid foundation in practical and diplomatic skills, and techniques necessary to engage effectively in international global policy processes. To obtain the diploma, participants must meet programme requirements for three of the five courses on offer (Introduction to Internet GovernanceE-Diplomacy; Internet Technology and Policy: Challenges and SolutionsCybersecurity; Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance, and Policy Frameworks) within a three-year period.

Note: If you have already completed one or more of the five courses and wish to apply for the diploma, please contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu.

 

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Advanced Diploma in IG review

Course lecturers

Methodology

During the online courses, interaction takes place via the internet through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (e.g. further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online to discuss the week’s topic. Evaluation is based on participation in course discussions and on several assignments for each course.

Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. This programme requires a minimum of seven to eight hours of study time per week.

Prerequisites

Applicants for this programme must have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject or basic IG knowledge and/or experience of the multistakeholder approach in international affairs.
  • Sufficient ability in the English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments).
  • Regular access to the internet (dial-up connection is sufficient, although broadband is preferable).
  • A minimum of seven to eight hours of commitment per week, and the readiness to participate in class online sessions (once a week at specified times).

Fees and scholarships

The programme requires the completion of three online courses; the fee for each course is 690 Euros. The fee for each course is due upon acceptance, before the course starts. There is no additional fee, above the fee for each course, to obtain the Advanced Diploma.

Discounts

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% tuition discount.

Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution.

Financial assistance

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from small and developing countries, through support from the Government of Malta.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for civil society applicants working in the field of digital policy, through support from the Ford Foundation.

To apply for a scholarship please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your course application. The motivation letter should include:

  • Details of your relevant professional and educational background.
  • Reasons for your interest in the course.
  • Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: how will your participation benefit you, your institution, and/or your country?

As Diplo’s ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions.

Apply for a certificate course

Please apply online for each of your three selected courses, based on the application deadline for each course. You can click on the links below to read more about each course, learn when the next session is scheduled, check the application deadline, and access the online application forms:

At any point during the three selected courses, you can contact admissions@diplomacy.edu to register your intention to obtain the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance.