The students who enroll in the MPA/ID program are one of its most valuable resources. A typical MPA/ID class contains 65 students from over 30 countries; approximately two-thirds of the students are citizens of developing or transitional economy countries. They have an average of 4 years of professional development experience, which enhances classroom discussions and study group work. Below, recent MPA/ID graduates discuss their experiences in the program and at the Kennedy School.

   
 

Melesse Minale Tashu, MPA/ID 2007 (Ethiopia)

Poverty Researcher
World Vision International
Washington, DC
 “The MPA/ID program is uniquely designed for those who have a keen interest to understand the process of development on the ground. In it, one learns how rigorous quantitative analysis, abstract theoretical concepts, and political, legal and social factors can be integrated to formulate sound development policy.”

Melesse applied to both the MPA/ID program and various PhD programs in economics. He chose the MPA/ID program because of its applied nature, in particular its focus on the skills he needed to be an effective development practitioner. Melesse, originally from Ethiopia, is currently a poverty researcher with World Vision International.
 

Frida Ruiz, MPA/ID 2007 (Peru)

Regional Advisor in Entrepreneurial Development
SNV, the Netherlands Development Organization
Quito, Ecuador
“The MPA/ID training enabled me to understand what it means to go beyond theory in development and the relevance of thinking as a practitioner in the field. It opened my eyes to innovative development frameworks which I am vastly leveraging in my current work. Using those frameworks, I help promote inclusive business models that incorporate the poor in the value chain as producers as well as consumers. We are identifying such models in 13 Latin American countries. The MPA/ID training has been an incredibly useful input for this work.”

Frida Ruiz, a native of Peru, is currently Regional Advisor in Entrepreneurial Development for the Netherlands Development Organization in Quito, Ecuador. Prior to attending HKS, she worked for the Inter-American Development Bank and the Peruvian Ministry of Economics and Finance.
 

Tahir Sheikh, MPA/ID 2002 (Pakistan)

Projects Officer, Infrastructure and Finance Group
Country Operations Department
The Islamic Development Bank
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“The MPA/ID program introduced me to the big picture challenges of development, providing deep insight into the underlying forces that are behind the development and underdevelopment of the various parts of the world. Simultaneously, it allowed me the flexibility to focus on my interests through a careful choice of electives. I chose courses in infrastructure and private sector development; and in energy, environment and natural resource policy. Thus, I was able to synthesize my engineering and finance background and acquire the necessary economic policy and leadership skills to successfully work as a development practitioner.”

Tahir Sheikh joined the Islamic Development Bank as a Young Professional and is now Projects Officer for the Infrastructure and Finance Group in the Country Operations Department in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Prior to attending Harvard Kennedy School, Tahir was a project engineer for Union Texas Pakistan, Inc.
 

Erika Strand, MPA/ID 2006 (United States)

Policy Consultant
UNICEF Global Policy Section
New York, NY

“The MPA/ID program taught me an entirely new approach to development work. By understanding how economists and statisticians use analytical tools to support their work, I bring a new type of analysis to UNICEF. Not only can I help the organization improve its use of evidence, but I can also use my understanding to communicate with economists in organizations that rely heavily on these tools.

Only in the MPA/ID program could I complement an advanced poverty analysis class with a course in child rights.”

Erika Strand is currently a policy consultant in UNICEF’s Global Policy Section in New York City. Prior to attending the MPA/ID program, she served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Honduras and then worked in corporate fundraising for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
 

David Lam, MPA/ID 2007 (Canada)

Associate
McKinsey & Company
Cairo, Egypt
“The week before I had to decide between applying for the MPA/ID vs. an MBA, I was in Islamabad where I bumped into the head of Aga Khan Development Pakistan. When I sought his advice on which program to apply to, he asked me, 'What are you ultimately more passionate about, international development or business?' The answer was clear for me, and thankfully I ended up joining the MPA/ID program. There is no other place which brings together the most passionate people and the most brilliant minds on the topic of international development. My understanding of the opportunities and challenges in this field has deepened exponentially through discussions with fellow classmates, interactions with professors and visiting speakers, and some phenomenal courses.”

After his 2007 MPA/ID graduation, David Lam, returned to McKinsey & Co. where he is now working on various assignments including an urban development project for the government in Cairo, Egypt.