Post-Grad Study in Europe

You just have to read this first:

Master’s program in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) offered by Lund University, Sweden. No tuition fees.

The program is a collaboration with the E-GIS project of the European Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci program.

Backgrounder:

• 2 years, distance learning. You just need Internet connection, a fast PC processor, etc.
• Books and software will be sent to qualified applicants, again, for free.
•  All classes will either be done online or offline, on your own. Basically research-based learning.
• Thesis/dissertation has to be presented in Lund University, Sweden. The student, of course, will shoulder the travel and other expenses.
• For details, check their site: LUMA-GIS.

If you are not familiar with Geographic Information Systems, well, it’s not just about maps. If you’ve watched Enemy of the State (Will Smith, Gene Hackman), I think the movie fairly exhibited what GIS can do. Well, most spy movies have GIS-applications/software part in the story. Telecommunications are using this in their services (when you are trying to locate the nearest ATM, resto, gas station, or simply spying on the location of another number). (Or visit here if you want more info)

I have been planning since about two or three months ago on taking this opportunity. Unfortunately, because of a very busy life (yeah!), I forgot their deadline — October 15. The classes for this term will start on January. I cannot complete the requirements to meet that deadline because there are a lot of things/document/certification to secure. Sayang! The next round of application is next year, April. I hope I can make it next time.

By the way, in case any of you, my loyal readers (hundreds to thousands, I guess), are interested in taking this, well, please do. First two years will cost you nothing but time and effort. As for the defense of the thesis, well, if you can finish two years, and create a nice thesis, I am almost, almost positive you wouldn’t have a hard time looking for sponsors. My plan is to draft a really good paper, and present it to either the government for funding or one of the telcos around. I’m quite certain they’ll be happy to sponsor my defense travel expenses… or anyone’s studies for that matter. (Not that this is something to look forward to, but once you are in Sweden, you can easliy go to The Netherlands. *wink*)

I am still seriously, seriously considering taking ICT courses — locally or abroad.

PS: …and take up dance lessons here. Hehehe. Hahaha! Good times.