S N A P S H O T  O F  T H E  M A S T E R

The Specializing Master’s programme (1st level) in Technologies for Sustainable Transitions in the Global South is a pioneering academic venture, born from the joint efforts of the Turin School of Development of the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) and the Politecnico di Torino.

Politecnico di Torino is among the top European Technical Universities for education and research, with a key role on Innovation and Technological transfer, and a strong commitment to knowledge sharing to produce an impact on a complex and rapidly changing society. ITCILO, as part of the ILO, is dedicated to exploring the frontiers of the future of work. It delivers development-oriented Courses and Masters in an international environment, in collaboration with the United Nations system and other centres of excellence across the globe.

The Master is addressed to project managers, officers, experts in Multilateral Cooperation and International Affairs, entrepreneurs, professionals and researchers in international organizations and sector-specific associations. It is designed to broaden and deepen participants’ expertise in managing complex development projects, integrating innovative technologies, and leading high-impact initiatives. The programme equips professionals with the skills to leverage appropriate technologies for sustainable transitions in the Global South. By combining strategic planning with technologies, it empowers participants to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions for global challenges.

Focusing on the intersection of technology and social development, the curriculum addresses the urgent need for specialized knowledge to push societal transformation.

The programme has an online learning stage during which the nexus between technology and social innovation is explored through the lens of development cooperation practitioners, and a face-to-face learning stage diving deep into four strategic topics for sustainable development:

• Technologies for the Digital transition: Analysing both the regulatory and technical aspects of digital standards which are suitable to boost development, considering emerging drivers of change.
• Energy and Green transition: Providing key insights on the challenges and opportunities presented by the green transition, particularly the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies, within an inclusive and international framework.
• Agroecological transition: Dealing with the growing complexity of the agricultural and food system and the implications for land and water resources.
• Urban transition: Addressing the multiple and interconnected challenges of cities, whose future will be largely transformed by social and technological innovation.

The course carefully balances theoretical knowledge with practical application, encouraging students to interact, discuss real case studies and engage critically.

This programme is not just an academic journey but also an opportunity to gain knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, join a global community dedicated to international development, and connect with a vibrant network of experts, professionals, and academics.

What topics does this master cover?

Lateral expertise on:

• Policies and actors for International Development Cooperation
• Fair and just transitions in the Global South
• Impact assessment and evaluation of policies, programmes and projects
• Digital transformation and its implications in human development and society
• Capacity building for entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems
• Project management for development
• Facilitating complex change in development contexts

Sector-specific expertise on

• Technologies for sustainable agrifood futures
• Innovation in the urban environment
• Green transition of the energy sector
• Inclusive digital technologies for Development

What will i learn?

On successful completion of the Master, participants will be able to:

• Leverage digital technologies to enhance socio-economic growth in the Global South and triangular cooperation countries.
• Gain in-depth insights into the impact of technology on urban innovation and the creation of sustainable urban environments.
• Formulate sustainable and equitable natural resource management strategies.
• Apply energy transition and green technology solutions for environmental progress.
• Investigate the dynamics of food systems and agri-technology and assess their contribution to achieving sustainable development.
• Address the processes of the just transition through innovative technological applications.
• Address ethical considerations and challenges arising from the use of technology in global settings.
• Master data analysis and the use of digital tools for effective collaboration and project monitoring.
• Develop strategies for community involvement and stakeholder engagement in technology-driven initiatives.

Who attends this master?

The Master is intended for:

• Experts in Multilateral Cooperation and International Affairs
• Public Administration and Policy Analysis Officials
• Professionals and Researchers in international organizations and associations involved in Development
  
  and Cooperation
• Consultants with specialization in International Development Cooperation
• Experts in Digital Transformation and Innovation Strategy
• Managers and investment analysts in Finance Institutions

The Master programme is a one-year intensive blended-learning offering, consisting of one distance-learning and four classroom-taught modules. In order to minimize disruption of the participants’ ongoing job obligations at home, full classroom attendance is mandatory for only ten weeks of the programme in person.

The Master merges theoretical and practical learning methodologies that are designed to engage and motivate students. The unique learning path offered by this programme ensures an extraordinary transfer of knowledge and practical competences with a multidisciplinary and applied approach.

Participants interact with their environment through a hands-on learning experience, which includes case studies, workshops, active visits to research centres and labs, group-works and policy laboratories.

In line with the training approach of the Turin School of Development, during the Master course, participants will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from an international faculty. Resource persons are selected based on their professional experience and subject matter expertise. They consist of:

• Experts from the ILO and the ITCILO;
• Officials from the UN system and other international organizations;
• Experts and practitioners of the subject matter;
• Academia and leading researchers from Politecnico di Torino and other international universities.

The Master is delivered as a “First level Specializing Master’s programme in Technologies for sustainable transitions in the global south”, according to Italian law* on postgraduate education, issued by the Politecnico di Torino. The first level specializing Master will be awarded to the participants who fulfill the following conditions:

• Administrative requirements and documents requested by the Politecnico di Torino;
• Submission of the assignments within the set deadlines and quality requirements;
• Successful passing of all exams demonstrating the level of competence required;
• Submissions of the final project within the set deadline and quality requirements.

* Master universitario di I livello istituito e attivato ai sensi dell’Art.3 del DM 270/04.

This one-year Master programme is intensive by design. It combines three phases: distance learning module, face-to- face component and preparation of the final thesis.

TUITION FEE

The tuition fee is Euro 9,900. The fee includes:

• Programme development and management;
• Teaching equipment, training materials and documentation;
• Use of training facilities and support services.

Board, lodging, travel expenses, transports and personal expenses for the period in Turin are not included in the cost of participation.

PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of partial scholarships is available, on a competitive basis, only for participants from countries which receive official development assistance (ODA). Participants who wish to apply for a partial scholarship, are required to specify it on the application form.

The selection criteria for the award of partial scholarships will include academic and professional qualifications, organization, country of origin and gender balance.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• A first university degree (Bachelor’s degree) of minimum three years duration;
• Good working knowledge of spoken and written English;
• Ability to use computers and have access to the internet.

Applicants whose degree was awarded by a non-Italian University or by a private Italian University must submit the official transcript(s) issued by their home University. These transcripts should be on letter headed paper and should include a full list of all examinations passed, the marks obtained, the final degree grade and the date of award. Please note: only documents in English or Italian will be accepted.

Applications should be made through the following link: https://oarf2.itcilo.org/MSTF/A9717349/en[MVF1] 

Deadline for the first round of applications: 9 May 2025.

Deadline for the second round of applications 30 June 2025.

Deadline for the third round of applications 19 September 2025.

A limited number of partial scholarships is available for students from developing countries only.

Important: only complete application forms will be considered during the candidate’s selection process.

The ITCILO’s payment, cancellation and refund policy can be consulted on the following website.