Ambassador Matern Lumbanga

My time at GSD

I had the opportunity to pursue an Executive Master in International Relations Programme from September 2006 and graduated on 30th June 2007. From September 2007 I got an offer to pursue a doctoral programme also in International Relations and graduated on 24th June 2009. This experience has greatly broadened my understanding of issues on diplomacy and international relations. This is especially the case for me as my background before being appointed to be my country's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Offices of the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva I was not a carrier diplomat. I have now spent five years and I am in the sixth and final year before I return to Tanzania in retirement. Of course my very rich work experience in various capacities prior to my Geneva assignment has proven to be very useful

At GSD, I benefitted from the very resourceful Professors who provided important knowledge relevant to their fields of study and advice at all times including guiding me on what relevant sources of reading materials for my course work as well as writing of my dissertation at the end of each programme. Apart from the Professors, I had a lot to learn from my fellow students whose varied experiences and backgrounds also provided a rich learning experience. I found that most of the issues taught at GSD were also very relevant to my day to day activities related to my work. For example, economic and finance issues feature very prominently in the WTO, WIPO and UNCTAD, just as Human Rights issues, Migration issues and Climate Change, WHO,UNHCR, WMO, etc, are all topical issues in today's world. So my time at GSD was certainly a project that was really worth the energy and time. Apart from the newly acquired academic credentials, I have had a lot of influence on colleague Ambassadors and senior officials, some of whom have continued to register for further studies at GSD. I wish them well in their pursuit for further education and improved service to their people in their respective countries.