Arend van Vuren completed the master’s in Development Economics at VU Amsterdam. He now serves as First Secretary for Development Cooperation at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Sudan, where he leads economic programmes in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
Arend was drawn to the master’s programme because of its strong link between academic theory and real-world application. “Courses like ‘Microeconomics for Development’ really sharpened my critical thinking. They helped me understand how well-intentioned economic policies can have unintended consequences—and how important it is to get the design right.”
He especially appreciated the programme’s practical focus. “What I learned at VU still guides me in my work today—translating economic theory into concrete decisions on water, land, and education projects. The programme gave me a toolkit to approach development from both a policy and strategic angle.”
In South Sudan, Arend oversees a diverse portfolio of agricultural and economic programmes with a team of around 20 people—half of whom are South Sudanese. “It’s an incredibly dynamic role. At the embassy, you’re essentially running a small company. I’m a project manager, strategist, legal advisor, lobbyist, and political analyst—all in one. I travel frequently and engage with local stakeholders to make sure Dutch interests and development goals align in a challenging environment.”
What stood out to Arend was that, although the programme has a clear development focus, it remains firmly rooted in core economic principles. “You’re trained as an economist first. That means you leave the programme with a strong analytical and quantitative foundation that opens doors beyond just development. Whether you want to work in policy, consultancy, or international organisations—you’re not limited in your career options.” He also appreciated the quality of the professors. “Many of the professors had real-world experience in development policy and economics, which made the learning both rigorous and highly relevant.”
For Arend, the master’s in Development Economics and Globalisation laid the foundation for an international career. “If you're an economist who wants to contribute to global development, this programme gives you both the expertise and the mindset to make a real impact.”
