Welcoming the 2025-2026 MPP Cohort: A New Beginning at UNU-MERIT

On 29th August, we welcomed the 2025-2026 cohort of the Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) programme. This year, we are joined by over 120 students from around the world, each bringing their unique perspectives to a year of learning and growth.

The introduction day began with an overview of the MPP programme, delivered by Dr. Elaine Lebon-McGregor, the Academic Programme Director. She conveyed her anticipation for the new cohort.: “The start of the academic year is always an exciting time. The introduction day was a great opportunity to get a sense of the ideas, energy, and perspectives this new group brings to our community. I look forward to watching them grow together, support each other, and make the most of the opportunities ahead.”

Dr. Zina Nimeh, Associate Professor of Public Policy and a member of UNU-MERIT’s Management Team overseeing the education portfolio, also spoke on the significance of the programme: “As the new academic year begins, I’m excited by the potential this next generation of public policymakers holds. They will engage with the complexity of today’s global challenges and work towards developing innovative, humane, and lasting solutions. The work they do is more important than ever, and I have no doubt they will rise to the challenge.”

The day continued with an introduction to the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method, a core component of the MPP programme. Through a mock tutorial, students got an opportunity to participate in a simulated classroom environment. This gave them their first hands-on experience with the collaborative, student-led learning style that will define much of their year. PBL encourages students to take ownership of their education, rely on each other’s strengths, and tackle policy challenges from multiple angles. For many, this was a highlight of the day, offering a glimpse into how they will be learning — and thinking — over the coming months. 

We asked some of our new students to share with us what they're most looking forward to this year: Rory Lyons, from Ireland, expressed his eagerness to develop both hard and soft skills, saying, “I’m looking forward to developing some hard skills like quantitative statistics and soft skills like public speaking. I’m also excited to meet a diverse group and learn from people with different backgrounds.”

Sefa Adzva from Austria shared his anticipation for the multidisciplinary nature of the programme: “I look forward to joining a programme where I can interact with students from various academic and professional backgrounds. I’m also excited to be in such a vibrant city as Maastricht.”

The day concluded with a social event organised by DEMOS, allowing students to meet one another and start forming the relationships that will support them throughout their academic journey.

As we begin the 2025-2026 academic year, we look forward to supporting our new cohort in their academic and personal growth as they engage with the world’s most pressing policy challenges.