PJ Rudden, Professor Richard O’Kennedy and Dr Anne Morrissey at the launch.

RPS Group Business Director, and President of Engineers Ireland, PJ Rudden gave the keynote address at the launch of a first of its kind post-graduate degree course in Ireland, together with Dublin City University’s Vice-President for Learning Innovation Professor Richard O’Kennedy.

“The launch of the University’s Master’s Degree in Management for Sustainable Development is a timely and positive forward-looking action, taking place the day after the release of the preliminary results of the 2011 census –showing Ireland’s population to be at its highest for over 150 years –at 4.5 million”, PJ stated in his address.

PJ was invited to deliver the keynote address for the launch as President of Engineers Ireland, and in recognition of the recent Engineers Ireland report on The State of Ireland’s Infrastructure.

“As our economy is threatened, there is a temptation to go for ‘quick fix’ solutions that lack the advantage of long-term social, environmental or economic sustainability. We have to avoid that temptation and be known for what we build, not what we destroy,” he said.

“I referred to the banking and property crisis and remarked that we needed "to get back to 'plan led' sustainable development not 'developer led' which had created much of our current difficulties”. I also expressed my amazement that not a single town planner, architect, engineer or environmental scientist had yet been employed by NAMA so it was impossible for them to accurately assess the true value of the distressed assets under their control, concluding that "Never was the content or timing of this course on Management for Sustainable Development more needed in Ireland than at present”, PJ explains.

The course is operated by the University’s distance learning unit, Oscail –pioneered via online and blended learning to ensure the greatest possible practical access to the course for students. Its philosophy is based on effective management of economic, social and environmental challenges in an holistic way. Its core areas are waste, water and energy –key aspects in the process of economic recovery. The course also incorporates extensive coverage of Procurement as a study area –an unusual and complex focus for such a course, but essential for interfacing with technical, legal and commercial issues.

Course Director, Dr. Anne Morrissey and Head of Oscail, Seamus Fox demonstrated the course tutorials, with a student who is enrolled on the course for September discussing the flexible benefits of distance learning. Vice President for Learning Innovation, Professor Richard O’ Kennedy, said, “The new Masters offers students a great opportunity to enhance their expertise in a key area that will underpin future economic growth –both nationally and internationally.”

Contact:
PJ Rudden
T: +353 (0)1 488 2900
E: pj.rudden@rpsgroup.com

More details of the course launch can be found at:
PJ Rudden’s Engineers Ireland blogspot: apresidentsblogbypjrudden@blogspot.com
The Dublin City University website: http://www.dcu.ie/news/2011/jul/s0711a.shtml