IEPSL Environment Management Course begins in June:

Bid to improve green credentials

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Worldwide environmental management and conservation has become vital today more than ever before, but the knowledge about this relatively new area among relevant sectors in the country is much less than what is really necessary, Institute of Environment Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) Council Member Prof Udith Jayasinghe told Daily News Business.

He said therefore it is a national responsibility to educate them as it will enhance career prospects of the young people in the future. The IEPSL has decided to undertake this task and commence the first course related to this subject in June 2011 at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Training Institute.

The course is open to interested individuals who wish to obtain a valid qualification from the IEPSL in environment management. The Diploma holders will be able to apply for the "Associate Membership" of the IEPSL. The course will (PDCEM)cater to the long felt need of developing professionalism of the people working in the fields of development, conservation and management of the environment in Sri Lanka.

The course include 12 Modules covering the theoretical and practical aspects on Environmental Management, Economics, Policy, Marketing and Project Management and Professional Development Seminars at two levels (Certificate and Diploma). Each student will prepare a Course Project Report based on these modules as a partial fulfilment to the PDCEM.

A panel of teachers comprising of University Academics, Public Administrators, Senior Managers from the Corporate Sector and Environmental Practitioners. The 30-week educational program will start from June 4 and classes will be held on every Saturday from 3 to 6 pm.