Interview with graduates for Master’s in Indigenous Studies provides you with information on what kind of experiences graduates have about our program, and Tromsø in Norway. We also share information on what graduates are doing currently, which helps you to have a better idea of what the program can offer for your future career.
Professional prospects
With this educational background, you will be qualified for work within teaching and education, promotion and implementation of indigenous issues internationally, civil society organisations, government and public sector, project management, and for further research and studies in indigenous issues.
Camilla Brattland
Year graduated: 2005
Thesis title:
Fishing under the Consent of the Kingdom
Current position (2011):
PhD Candidate, Centre for Sami Studies and Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø
The master program in indigenous studies provided an environment for critical thoughts and discussions regarding scientific research about and with indigenous peoples. The program set a standard for my thinking about these issues and led me to make good friends for life.
Victoria Phiri
Year graduated: 2006
Thesis title:
When knowledge is not power. The integration of traditional midwifery into the health system. The case study of a traditional midwife among the Toka of Zambia
Current position (2011):
Director of Moto Moto Museum, Mbala, Zambia
The programe’s wide scope of topics was very good. it made good understanding of indigenous issues accross the world. My stay in Tromso university was a meeting place for people from different places and cultures around the world. My favourite place in the university was BODEGA; it was not just the coffee and waffles but the atmosphere of friendship and warmth; it made me feel at home! The most memorable good event was the welcoming back of the sun after winter and we went skiing and sliding in the snow as part of the school programe…i loved it
Sargylana Zhirkova
Year graduated: 2006
Thesis title:
School on the “move”. A case study: Nomadic schooling of the indigenous Evenk children in the Republic of Sakha Yakutia (Russian Far East)
Current position (2011):
Teacher
One of the most colorful and unforgettable experiences of my life!
Ciren Yangzong
Year graduated: 2006
Thesis title:
The household responsibility contract system and the question of grassland protection. A case study from the Chang Tang, northwest Tibet Autonomous Region
Current position (2011):
Associate Professor, Urban and Reassures Department of Tibet University
One good memory I have is from the International food festival organized by students union. Since most of students are from different countries, we were given an opportunity to make our county’s typical food provided to all university students for the festival. That was really good for us to share our food culture.
Gilbert Ansoglenang
Year graduated: 2006
Thesis title:
Rural women and micro-credit schemes. Cases from the Lawra District of Ghana
Current position (2011):
Administrator
Life in Tromsoe was interesting and challenging. The program was good and some of us thought it helped to feel comfortable with our lives in Tromsø. Events were occasionally organized for us, which was good. It was good to see people, who are from diverse backgrounds, are coming together to study in a foreign country. People in Tromsoe were generally accommodating. A trip to the mountains to see the life of reindeers were a good memory and many more.
Asebe Regassa Debelo
Year graduated: 2006
Thesis title:
Ethnicity and inter-ethnic relations. The Ethiopian experiment and the case of the Guji and Gedeo
Current position (2011):
PhD Candidate at at Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS), Germany
To be honest, Tromsø is a lovely city where I enjoyed the two years of my stay between 2005-2007. The people are friendly and welcoming. Most importantly, the Masters Program in Indigenous Studies – a multidciplinary program – opened my academic endeavours to different perspectives ranging from historical, anthropological, literary and legal aspects of adressing Indigenous Peoples issues across the globe. The program also provided us an opportunity to get insights into the Indigenous Såmi people in Nordic countries and their successful struggles for their rights. I would faily say that MIS has played crucial role in my academic career, particularly becasue of its emphasis to independent research works. Upon completion of the Masters program in June 2007, I joined Dilla University (Ethiopia) and established (with few of my colleagues there) an Institute of Indigenous Studies, where I worked as head of the institute from 2008-2010.
Year graduated: 2007Thesis title:A comparison between Japan and Norway regarding ILO Convention No. 169
Current position (2011):
Project Assistant at the Centre for Sami Studies in the University of Tromsø
It was a first time for me to live in an arctic region where you enperience two months of a darkness and cold winter. It was both challenging and exciting. I learned a lot how to activate myself in such an environement, and still enjoy such a climate. The environment even strengthen our friendship with other class mates, which most of us spned lots of time in our reading room where a reading room, sofa, and kitchen are provided for us. The reading room became a gathering place for all of us, which we shared our thoughts, ideas, life, exams, and other things. Since students are from all over the world, it gave various colors to the program, and was indeed an interesting platform to study indigenous issues. Since it is an interdisciplinary program, it gives us lots of freedom to choose what you like to write for your Mater thesis, so it is very beneficial if you know how you like to design your own study and thesis!
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