The Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation (International Program), also known as the Asia Pacific Regional Program (APMA), is a collaborative degree programme involving four other universities across the Asia-Pacific region. Offered by Mahidol University, this international master’s degree program is jointly taught with Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal), and the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka). As part of this postgraduate program, students begin their studies at Mahidol University for the first semester and then select one of the four partner universities for their second semester.

APMA is a one-year interdisciplinary degree program that emphasises the interconnectedness of human rights, democracy, peace, and development within the Asia-Pacific region. This program serves as the regional branch of the Global Campus of Human Rights, which is co-funded by the European Commission. Full and partial scholarships are offered to eligible students in the Asia-Pacific region who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional credentials, face financial difficulties and show a commitment to the field of human rights and democracy.

APMA students who select the Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR) at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, for their second semester will be admitted as candidates of the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (MHRD) degree program offered by the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Upon successfully completing all academic requirements, including coursework, an internship, a final examination, and a dissertation, these APMA students become eligible to graduate with dual master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in Human Rights and Democratisation from Mahidol University and a Master of Human Rights and Democratisation from the University of Colombo within a one-year period of study.

As part of the experiential learning component of the Asia Pacific Masters Programme (APMA), students who choose the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, as their host institution for the second semester are provided with a range of academic, cultural, and community engagement activities during their stay in Sri Lanka. These activities are coordinated by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, with the aim of complementing classroom learning through direct exposure to the legal, social, cultural, and institutional environments of Sri Lanka.

The programme offered by the CSHR in semester 2 for the APMA students includes academic field visits to key institutions such as the Parliament, human rights organizations, independent commissions, and prisons. These visits enable students to observe the practical application of legal principles, governance mechanisms, human rights protection systems, and dispute resolution processes in Sri Lanka.The cultural visits are organized to significant historical, religious, and cultural sites that provide students with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, ethnic and religious diversity, and socio-political history. The CSHR also organizes various cultural events and intercultural exchange activities, allowing international and local students to interact, share experiences, and develop cross-cultural understanding.