New Master's degree in Water Security, for October 2011 offered by the University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia has a new program in water security and international development. The well-known Dr. Mark Zeitoun is the course director.

Access a flyer.

Here's the description:

The MSc Water Security and International Development degree interprets 'water security'  in its broad political ecology and political economy sense. We believe that the hydrological cycle is intimately connected to critical global policy concerns: climate change, food trade and food security, energy security - and in turn to the international cooperation that affects human, community, regional and state security. 

Inextricably linked to people's welfare and livelihoods in non-industrialised contexts, water is a resource of fundamental importance to environment and development concerns.

This Master's programme will critically reflect on the practical and theoretical facets of 'water security', with a view to develop a better foundation upon which to achieve developmental and environmental objectives. We will provide the latest interdisciplinary theory and tools necessary to rise to the challenges and students will graduate with the knowledge and tools to be able to understand and audit the water security of a system of interest; be it nation, region, company, sector, scheme or household.

The MSc Water Security and International Development degree will be offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time.

 

You get to learn to draw neat diagrams illustrating how complicated everything is.

Who is the course for? Again, from the blurb:

This unique degree seeks to prepare graduates to engage with and contribute to societal responses to critical global water policy issues, encapsulated in part by Professor John Beddington's (UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser) 2009 analysis identifying the 'Perfect Storm' arising from the 'surge in demand for food, water and energy over the next two decades... all intimately connected'. The School is world-renowned for its interdisciplinary and rigorous approach to subject-area teaching within a wider pedagogic framework of development and environmental studies. The students will benefit from our specialist knowledge in the social and biophysical aspects of water resources, including excellent networking and fieldwork opportunities.

The course is relevant for those who have recently completed undergraduate study as well as those who have already worked in the field of development. It does not require specialised prior study although students will benefit from an environmental Bachelors degree such as geology, geography or environmental sciences. People with other backgrounds oriented towards the environment, for instance in political sciences, sociology or law, or with practice experience in development work, are also strongly encouraged to apply. The course aims to prepare students for employment in a wide range of areas, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government aid agencies, and multilaterial organisations.

Seriously - this looks very good and very timely. Water security will be a growth industry.

"Man is a complex being; he makes deserts bloom and lakes die."-- Gil Stern (from the WWW site)

 

The UEA Water Security Research Centre would like to announce a new Master’s degree in Water Security, for October 2011.

The University of East Anglia’s MSc Water Security and International Development will critically explore ‘water security’ in its broad political ecology and political economy sense. We view the hydrological cycle as intimately connected to critical global policy concerns: climate change, food and energy security - and the international cooperation that affects individual, community, national and regional security.

The degree is offered by the School of International Development, along with the School of Environmental Sciences and the UEA Water Security Research Centre. The interdisciplinarity will prepare graduates to contribute to the societal responses to the complex water security challenges we all face. All those who would like to be future leaders in the water sector in their home country or globally are encouraged to apply!

More information is available through the Water Security MSc website, which includes information on funding support. Please contact pgdev.admiss@uea.ac.uk if you would like more information about admission.

Course website: www.uea.ac.uk/dev/courses/msc-water-security-and-international-development