Studying International Relations 2.0 with Global Studies and Governance in BD

It is no secret that mastering 'content-specific knowledge' in today's ever-changing dynamic means limited competencies to fit into the larger society. As such, the Global Studies & Governance (GSG) programme aims to cultivate the best skills required to prepare for a world of rapid technological change, increasing interconnectedness, and new forms of employment.

Interpreting local and global diversities through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses, its mission is to 'prescribe socio-cultural and politico-economic programmes and policies for a sustainable human future.' Thus, in disciplinary essence, GSG complements "International Relations 2.0", meaning the knowledge and ability that GSG offers bridges modern international relations with that of the past. Altogether, this prepares students with challenges today to stand out as "Global Citizens."

The GSG programme is a complement to the major highlights of the century. The radical changes worldwide - from security modules to market structures- have undergone a significant transformation. All of this has, one way or another, been products of major global events such as colonialism, the formation of nation-states and Bretton Wood Institutes, the great recessions, etcetera, that have changed international order entirely.

Changes of this century have been fastened by events such as the Nine-eleven, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Altogether, the world faces many challenges today that cannot be categorised as one specific kind but are more cross-cutting. For instance, the current energy crisis is as much an economic issue, a political issue, and also an environmental issue.

GSG aims to streamline all these through a modern approach, which brings the perfect balance between interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary curricula, breaking the isolation of more political analysis lenses of similar contemporary disciplines such as Political Science, Public Administration, or International Relations. Many reputed institutions globally offer relevant programmes, such as Global Governance & Diplomacy at Oxford, Public Policy at Cambridge, and Global Studies at the London School of Economics (LSE).

 GSG is an interdisciplinary subject that studies local and global sustainable governance and development with knowledge from the third and fourth industrial revolutions. As such, GSG students can acquire transferable skills across different disciplines and paths, such as negotiation, leadership, and problem-solving.

GSG students also gain sophisticated knowledge they apply to research, writing, and presenting in a hands-on manner. This is done in line with the demands of International Relations 2.0, which necessitates students to be skilled at navigating the digital age. These skills make them eligible to enrol, contribute to international exchange programmes, and foster sustainable living.

Especially in today's competitive workforce, individuals with intellectual ability are highly sought after. GSG enables students to be intellectually capable as they are up to date with the latest global highlights - from economics to politics to sustainable development. Moreover, such knowledge enables them to be better decision-makers as they are better informed -- which translates into the entrepreneurial ability they can implement in different industries.

Global issues are not separate from local issues. Both of these are complementary. In today's world, to address global problems, one must also manage them at the local level and vice versa. For instance, to address global climate change, local initiatives are integral. Moreover, the same goes for the recent worldwide pandemic, as seen from the Covid-19 pandemic or the global depression caused by the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

Studying GSG enables students to learn how global organisations such as the Bretton Woods institutions function while offering the scope to understand how public policies are drafted locally. Such diverse learning scope enables students to broaden their minds to enhance their critical thinking keeping both pros and cons of any engagement and initiatives.

In today's world, everyone is a global citizen and a citizen of their own country. Therefore, the feeling of belonging on both a local and international level needs to strike a balance by simultaneously preparing the skills required to be a 'right holder' and a 'duty bearer' both at the global and local levels. Individuals need to prioritise both so that no one side has to make excessive concessions - and that is precisely where GGS taps in to make the students better aware and equipped to address local and global (GLOCAL) problems and their solutions.

GSG students have the scope of knowledge and abilities to understand and evaluate global issues about politics, economics, the environment, society, and more. Specially in the context of countries such as Bangladesh, which are fast-developing, while also being increasingly vulnerable to climate change and its potentially disastrous impacts -- studying GSG opens many doors.

Whether it be challenges such as the Rohingya crisis, political tensions, or the issues of labour exploitation -- Bangladesh is facing many global challenges and opportunities now. As such, students who want to impact the local level in Bangladesh and the world must have the information and abilities acquired via a GSG degree since the "International Relations 2.0" approach is becoming increasingly significant.

Given its interdisciplinary nature, this opens many doors for those interested in pursuing higher studies. However, only one university in Bangladesh now offers a bachelor's degree (BSS) in GSG. The open-credit module bachelor's degree in GSG of the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) matches the content of a four-year programme and is significantly updated in the curriculum to match the current world.

A GSG education opens doors to various occupations, including but not restricted to academia, diplomacy, public service, global communications management, international trade, and security studies. Graduates of GSG have a particular skill set based on intellect and critical thinking that is highly valued across modern industries.

Moreover, because GSG education comes with a global focus, graduates become well-prepared for higher studies and employment abroad. Those who intend to do higher studies may enrol in any subject related to the field, such as politics, governance, public policy, and other niche streams, such as environmental policymaking. On the other hand, students seeking employability may seek jobs in think-tanks, embassies, government, or other non-profit organisations. Overall, a GSG education offers students a wide range of employment options upon graduation and the skills to contribute to addressing global issues.

Dr Shanawez  Hossain is assistant professor at the Global Studies and Governance (GSG) Department at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). Ahmad Tousif Jami is a research assistant and student at GSG, IUB. They can be reached at [email protected] & [email protected]