Universities Charter for a 'green course' for graduates

I read this news with thrill because there has been a hype about 'sustainability' and 'green' education in Australia since I cam here in 1996. The Age recently reported that Victorian universities are increasingly preparing their graduates for careers that are relevant to the green economy. Of course, I am one of another fellow academics who have been working on our curriculum for the 'green education.' I have been working with the University and my students on sustainability education since 2009 and have realised the significant role of this concept in all branches of education.

In fact, more Australian high school graduates listed ''green'' courses such as environmental science as their first preference, a 164 per cent increase in the past three years, according to figures from the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. I personally think this is a positive sign for our country and the region.

The Age also reported that Victorian Minister for Higher Education Peter Hall said that it was pleasing to see the increase in environmentally themed courses. I will take some of the quotes from the media.

''VTAC applicants are making themselves more employable with this study option,'' Mr Hall said.

''It is encouraging to see that universities are responding to industry needs for environmentally themed degrees.''


Matilda Brown, 18, is eagerly waiting to see if she has been offered a place in RMIT's Bachelor of environmental engineering course.

''Clearly, society is experiencing a global paradigm shift towards a 'greener' lifestyle and there are more and more green jobs available to our generation in particular,'' Ms Brown said.

Another interesting story, Alesha Younghusband, an environmental careers office co-ordinator at the Environmental Jobs Network, said that in future there would be more employment opportunities with an emphasis on sustainability.

''I think they won't necessarily be called 'green jobs' but they will be called jobs with green or sustainability skills knowledge attached to them,'' she said.

''They'll have the additional understanding of sustainability principles and environmental responsibility incorporated into them.''

Ms Brown said: ''A lot of my peers have chosen to study 'green' degrees.
''This definitely reflects a greater shift in the perspective of young people.'

I really think, as an educator, it is time for us to properly integrate the concept of sustainability and gteen education in all fields.


Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/unis-chart-a-greener-course-for-graduates-20120108-1pq65.html#ixzz1mIxETHXh