Climate adaption to be the focus of new programs

USQ has made significant strides in national and international leadership in climate change teaching and research.

Associate Professor Joachim Ribbe, Head of Department of Biological and Physical Sciences in the Faculty of Sciences has led USQ’s push in this area.

Associate Professor Ribbe has secured a $170 000 grant from the Department of Climate Change to assist with the implementation of climate change courses.

'USQ has recently accredited the Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation,' Associate Professor Ribbe said.

'This is the only program of this nature in Australia that is available via distance education; it has been developed in discussion with the Australian National University as part of an alliance between the two institutions.

'As part of this agreement USQ students will have the option to enrol into ANU courses via cross-institutional arrangements.'

Students who study the Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation can apply to complete the expanded Master of Science (Climate Adaptation) which is also offered via distance education as a first in Australia.

The new programs will aid USQ’s research agenda in climate adaptation and sustainability.

'Both programs link to our Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments and will aid our partnership in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.

'It will facilitate communication of topical research in the climate adaptation space to a new generation of professional scientist, engineer and educators trained at USQ.'

Individual courses will be made available on a non-award basis to professionals in the field who are looking to advance their career.

Associate Professor Joachim Ribbe and Dr Chengyuan Xu will lead these programs which will be available to study in 2011.