Friday, January 16, 2015

Woes of a grad student, part 3: Acronyms ad nauseum.


Contrary to what I might have expected, the most challenging aspect of grad school is not so much having to write literature reviews or learn to interpret statistics (though that part really sucks too, I promise you). It’s having to learn the millions of acronyms that stand for the different development organizations, programs and transnational coalitions.

I’ll show you what I mean: We have for example the IMF, the WB and the PRGF that all have to write PRSPs and CASs in accordance with the CDF, OD, and OP in order to seek qualification from the Enhanced HIPC, monitored through annual PERs and FIMS, all in cooperation with the WHO, ILO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, FAO, AfDB, DfID and USAID, organizations that are financed by OECD, EU, NATO and WTO members.

Sheesh, with all of this helpfulness it’s a mystery we still have conflict and poverty in the world. I mean, my goodness.

Here’s my master’s thesis proposal in 9 words: Cut the crap. Stop being important. Start being useful. Not scientific and analytical enough for you? IDGARA. Figure that one out. 

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