27 May 2010

CHALLENGER OFFERS FIRST ONLINE GREEN STUDIES

Students from all around Western Australia can earn a sustainability qualification from Challenger Institute of Technology in the comfort of their own homes.

Challenger’s Diploma of Sustainability, which is preparing students for an emerging skills demand, is the only course of its kind in Western Australia that can be completed entirely online.

Sustainability lecturer and sustainability consultant Robyn Williams said the course combined the fundamental principles and emerging developments in sustainability with industry-specific practices.

“The course teaches people how the social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainability are connected,” Robyn said.

“It is offered as a stand-alone course and also as a dual diploma, providing students with the opportunity to combine their existing studies with specialist training in sustainability.

“We have had students undertaking the diploma from all around Western Australia – from Port Hedland to Esperance.”
Challenger environmental science graduate William Fowler, from Shoalwater, completed the online diploma last year while studying an environmental science diploma at Challenger’s Murdoch campus.

William said his studies at Challenger led him to Murdoch University where he was now undertaking a double major in environmental science and environmental restoration.

“The concepts that were covered in the Diploma of Sustainability relate in some way to most, if not all, of my current studies,” William said.

“Sustainability relates to whatever qualification, career or business you will be involved in and is a great asset to take into your professional future.

“It is also a subject you can put into practice in your everyday life, which I have found especially rewarding.”

Robyn said William was a keen and committed student who was now lending his expertise to Challenger to further develop the technical aspects of the diploma.