The International Graduate School (IGS) North-South is dedicated to advancing sustainable development worldwide and focuses on education at the PhD level to establish a leading international research network that analyses the impacts and opportunities of global change. The PhD programme emphasizes an integrative, partnership-based research approach, as well as innovation and application. More than 100 PhD candidates from around the world are currently enrolled.
The IGS North-South was developed within the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South. It is based on an inter-university agreement between the universities of Basel, Bern and Lausanne in Switzerland, and selected cooperation agreements with leading universities from countries in the global South and East. IGS North-South PhD candidates may attend courses offered by the school’s partner universities. The IGS North-South certificate “of Specialization in Sustainable Development” will supplement the degree they receive from their home institution.
In order to provide appropriate training, the IGS North-South offers disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary courses.
Are you conducting research that supports sustainable development or humanitarian action in low- or middle-income countries? Does your work offer valuable insights for practitioners or policymakers, or propose innovative solutions to pressing challenges?
Apply now to present your work in a Poster Session at the ETH Latsis Symposium on “Science for Global Development and Humanitarian Action”, taking place from 10–12 September 2025 at ETH Zurich.
New Application Deadline: 31 July 2025
Warm congratulations to Simon Oberholzer on the successful completion of his PhD and the Graduate School IGS North-South. Thesis title: Cover cropping in organic reduced tillage Systems – soil fertility effects and measurement
methodologies.
Warm congratulations to Pascal Bircher on the successful completion of his PhD and the Graduate School IGS North-South. You can read his thesis, titled “Development of a novel soil erosion risk map for arable land in Switzerland” here.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA PF) and MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) calls are open. The submission deadline for the MSCA PF is 11 September 2025, and the deadline for the MSCA DN is 25 November 2025.
We are thrilled to announce the IGS North-South Charter for Sustainability Education and Research.
This Charter is the result of a truly collaborative process, and reflects our shared commitment to fostering inclusive, interdisciplinary, and international learning environments that support transformations towards sustainable development.
This program offers the opportunity for participants to engage in unique monthly workshops designed to learn and practice responsible leadership. More information here.
The University of Bern is aware of the importance of scientific integrity. It not only ensures the integrity of its research activities but also actively promotes knowledge in this area. In addition to training courses in degree programs and graduate schools, it offers the online course “Research Integrity” to all members of the university. The course teaches the basic principles of good scientific practice and gives an overview of international standards of conduct. The course meets the training requirements of most funding agencies and journals. Further information
With the formulated recommendations this report presents an important source for the IGS North-South and other (doctoral) education programmes to strengthen the process of decolonizing academia.
North–South research collaboration is still largely determined by power imbalances between the global North & South. So, it’s high time to decolonize research. Read the interview with IGS Alumni Ravaka Andriamihaja, who investigated the issues at stake for the KFPE.
Management Centre
International Graduate School North-South
University of Bern
Mittelstrasse 43
CH-3012 Bern
+41 31 684 52 71
+41 31 684 69 57
