Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict: What Participants Say

Portrait of Collins Odhiambo Portrait of Collins Odhiambo

1 June 2021

Collins Odhiambo is a Captain in the Kenyan Air Force where he is in charge of a squadron, overseeing its operations, management, training and administration.

He just completed a one-and-a-half-year assignment with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), where he coordinated and participated in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. As such, he notably identified and analysed security, humanitarian, socio-economic, human rights and military developments that affect the protection of civilians. He also participated in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations.

Collins Odhiambo is currently enrolled in our Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict and follows the programme online.

Why did you choose the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict?

After serving in the military and being posted to conflict and post-conflict regions, I realized that my work revolved around humanitarian activities and that I had to work closely with humanitarian organizations. To be effective and efficient in my work, I needed strong knowledge of the law of war and the syllabus of this programme offered me exactly what I needed.

Does it respond to your expectations?

This master’s programme is uniquely designed to make it easy – even for those like me who do not have a law background – to grasp its content. The programme surpassed my expectations, sharpened my knowledge and turned me into an international humanitarian law (IHL) teacher at my workplace.

What are the highlights of the programme?

I love the interactions with the lecturers and fellow participants, it is something one hardly experience even in physical classes. The hypothetical scenarios that are used in class are very relevant to the reality I meet in the field and I found myself referring to them in several instances.

How is distance learning?

When I decided to follow the programme online, I thought it was going to be easy, but I realized that it requires dedication just like in-class learning. The way classes are conducted in this programme allows for very close interaction between participants and this is what I enjoy the most since the distance learning option allows participants from different backgrounds to join.

Can you easily manage following this programme and working at the same time?

I easily manage to follow the programme: the classes are all recorded and available on a platform, so participants can watch them any time. The amount of work and readings however require students to allocate a good amount of time and nobody should think it is easy just because it is part-time.

What will it bring to your career?

This programme will definitely make me more effective and efficient at work hence offer me professional growth. It will also expand my employment opportunities.

Would you recommend it?

If someone is looking for an opportunity to learn IHL online, I would highly recommend this programme. It is well-tailored to meet contemporary situations.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

ICRC Conference Booth News

Challenging Preconceptions About International Humanitarian Law

13 November 2024

At the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, we hosted a booth with Geneva Call and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

12 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more