Stellenbosch University’s (SU) new School for Climate Studies, which will be the first school of its kind to have faculty status in South Africa, will be launched in June.
This is according to an official SU media release. The new faculty will aim to support the transition to a climate-resilient society and low-carbon economy, according to the release.
Stellenbosch University will launch a new School for Climate Studies in June. This groundbreaking development is a promising opportunity for students. PHOTO: Maryam Adams
The development of undergraduate and postgraduate climate studies modules for the School for Climate Studies has already commenced, and it has been confirmed that the undergraduate programme will be fully developed by 2022, according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU.
Undergraduate applications for the School for Climate Studies will open in 2022, and all those who qualify for a science degree will be eligible to apply for the climate studies degree, Viljoen told MatieMedia. “Postgraduate students can register already with promoters that are doing climate study research,” he added.
Prof Eugene Cloete, the deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Supplied/Stellenbosch University
“The vision of the School is to be a world-class institution for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary climate and related studies in and for Africa,” said Prof Eugene Cloete, deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and postgraduate studies at SU, in the SU media release.
The School for Climate Studies is intended to “support and encourage research partnerships with other entities, both nationally and internationally,” Cloete added.
Prof Eugene Cloete, deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University, explains what the new School for Climate Studies will entail.
‘It should be at the forefront’
Some SU students are eager for climate and conservation studies to become more established at SU, according to Kira Courtaillac, a third-year biodiversity and ecology student at SU.
“I would definitely be interested in postgraduate studies within this School, and look forward to the strides that it will take as it becomes more established within SU’s framework,” said Courtaillac. “Conservation should be at the forefront of anyone’s approach to life and work, for without the balance with nature, we face a grim future.”
Ferrial Adam, an environmental justice activist who is currently completing her PhD in energy, water and climate change research at the University of Johannesburg, said that the impact the new faculty could have on the rest of South Africa, would depend on the curriculum that it followed.
“It is always a good idea to increase information, research and knowledge on climate change, but it is also important to understand the angle that the information comes from,” she said.
Adam explained that many of the current “business as usual” approaches, such as carbon markets or carbon capturing, could be seen as “false solutions”. She said it would be interesting to see whether the School for Climate Studies would be looking towards these business-as-usual solutions, or whether it would seek “bolder moves” within its curriculum.
Meanwhile, Blade Nzimande minister of the department of higher education, science and technology, stated in an official government media release that he hopes the SU School for Climate Studies will inspire other universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to establish similar initiatives.