The HIGAD offers a two-year masters program in Governance and Development (MA in Governance and Development). The program is designed for candidates from East African countries (i.e. member states of the IGAD region), initially and envisions to be a centre of continental and global academic studies, research and documentation in good governance and sustainable development. HIGAD’s program consists of 9 modules which are offered in two semesters during the first year. During the second year, first semester students of this program will do preliminary research as part of a seminar accompanied by presentation survey on specific areas related to good governance and sustainable development. At the same time, students prepare a thesis proposal to conduct gradating thesis. Finally, during the second year first semester students do their research thesis proposals, while during thesecond year second semester, they shall write up their theses, submit the thesis reports and present as part of the thesis defence.
In general, the main aims of the HIGAD are to develop capacity of civil servants in the area of:
 Good governance at institutional, federal, national and regional level;
 Sustainable holistic and transformational socio-economic development ;
 Peace building, ensuring security and intercultural collaboration
 Delivery of efficient and transparent public services supported by the information and communication technologies.
 Empowerment and mobilization citizens
 Engagement in academic research and publication focussed on governance and development in the Horn of Africa.