Celebrating 10 Years MSc "Social Protection“ at H-BRS

Why Social Protection Matters

Social protection systems with policies safeguarding people from risks such as illness, unemployment, poverty, or old age are central to social justice, political stability, and inclusive development. In many low- and middle-income countries, these systems face structural challenges including informal labour markets, limited fiscal capacity, and exclusion of vulnerable groups. Conventional social-insurance models cannot simply be transferred in these contexts; instead, tax-funded transfers, targeted programmes, and innovative administrative structures are often necessary.

The MSc Social Protection responds directly to these realities and aims to fill knowledge gaps in this regard, training students to design, implement, and evaluate context-appropriate solutions. Its interdisciplinary curriculum combines economics, political science, sociology, public administration, and development studies, with practical training through case studies, simulations, mandatory internship, and guest lectures from international experts.

Strong Synergy with the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme

Since 2021, the programme has been part of the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme, which supports highly qualified mid-career professionals from the Global South. Each year, around eight candidates from over 30 countries compete for a limited number of scholarships, enhancing student diversity and academic quality. This partnership supports career development, leadership skills, and global networking, ensuring graduates can make meaningful contributions to social protection systems in their home countries.

Partnerships and Expertise

The MSc Social Protection is led by a team combining academic excellence with extensive field experience. Co-heads Prof. Dr. Simona Helmsmüller (Economics of Social Protection, Econometrics) and Prof. Dr. Kerstin Rosenow-Williams (Social Sustainability, Sociology) bring practical expertise from consultancy, development projects, research and advocacy. The programme was founded by Prof. Dr. Esther Schüring, currently on leave with GIZ, whose work in social protection system strengthening continues to shape the curriculum. 

Daily operations and student support are handled by a dedicated coordination team. Brian Mathebula and Inken Barjenbruch jointly oversee programme coordination and student affairs, while also contributing to programme organisation and administration. Allex Medson Mello Semba, an alumnus and former DAAD scholar, coordinates the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme and provides guidance to international DAAD scholarship holders.

Honorary Professors and external experts including Prof. Dr. Markus Loewe (IDOS), Prof. Dr. Nyasha Tirivayi (UNICEF Innocenti), and Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Hagemejer (former ILO) ensure that teaching remains connected to global policy developments. Additional collaboration with institutions such as the World Bank, ITC-ILO, Red Crescent Climate Centre, IDS, University of Zambia, and IFM Tanzania enriches student learning through guest lectures, workshops, thesis supervision and specialised training.

Here is what our lecturers from leading institutions say about our programme:

A Decade of Impact and a Future of Possibilities

For ten years, the MSc Social Protection has equipped students from around the world with the skills, networks, and knowledge to build inclusive, resilient social protection systems. Looking ahead, the programme will continue to innovate, integrating technological change including AI, expanding partnerships, and providing lifelong learning and formalized alumni engagement to support professionals throughout their careers.

A Community that Extends beyond Graduation

Application numbers and student diversity have consistently grown, with our most recent cohort comprising students from 18 countries and an increasing share of female professionals (56% in 2025). Graduates return to ministries, NGOs, social security institutions, and research organizations, often contributing directly to national reform processes. Beyond their studies, graduates remain closely connected to the programme through an active alumni community that spans regions and professional sectors. Many return as guest lecturers, thesis supervisors, or partners in research and field projects, ensuring that knowledge exchange continues long after graduation.

The programme fosters ongoing alumni engagement through:

• Annual DAAD-funded Alumni Seminars (in Tanzania 2023, Ghana 2024, Germany 2024, Zambia and Malawi in 2026-2027)
• Alumni & Students networking events in the Bonn region and online
• Active LinkedIn community and planned mentoring programme

Alumni feedback highlights the value of cross-sectoral knowledge exchange, local leadership, and adaptive policymaking, reinforcing the programme’s long-term impact.