Waste-related opportunities: Curricula at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus

JOBURG WASTE SUMMIT, 25 March 2015

Dr. Claudine Roos Centre for Environmental Management 018 299 4068 083 639 9571 [email protected]

Background

• Waste Roadmap: Gap in tertiary education opportunities in SA.

• NWU (Potchefstroom Campus) was appointed by DST in 2014 to develop a post-graduate qualification at Honours level in Waste Management.

– Development process was facilitated by CSIR • BSc. Hons in Environmental Sciences with specialisation in Waste Management – 128 credits – Contact – Full (2015, 1 year) or part-time (2016, 2 years) • The application was approved by the NWU for delivery in January 2015.

© CEM

Curriculum outline of programme

Hons. B.Sc. Environmental Science with specialisation in Waste Management (N649P)

Programme outline

OMBO 611 Introduction to Environmental Management 16 credits – Semester 1 OMBW 611 Fundamentals of Waste Management** 20 credits – Semester 1 OMBW 612 Waste Management Law and Governance** 16 credits – Semester 1 OMBO 679 Environmental Analysis I 20 credits – Year module OMBO 621 New Waste Management Solutions** 16 credits – Semester 2 OMBE 673 Research Project** 40 credits – Year course

© CEM

OMBO 611 Introduction to Environmental Management

Overview • Definitions, terminologies, principles of Environmental Management; • Environmental Management tools and instruments; • Basic overview of Environmental Management and how it relates to other processes; • Brief introduction to environmental legislation, guidelines etc.

• The sustainability challenge • Environmental management systems © CEM

OMBW 611 Fundamentals of Waste Management **

Overview

• Waste-related definitions, terminologies; principles; • An introduction to the national waste management strategy and hierarchy; • Waste management life cycle/value chain from cradle to grave including waste storage, separation, collection, transportation, disposal; • Roles, responsibilities and mandates for waste management; • Integrated waste management planning; • Introduction to waste streams of special concern; • Understanding the receiving environment.

• Site visit: Potchefstroom © CEM

OMBW 612 Waste Management Law and Governance **

• • • • • • • • •

Overview

History of development of waste-related legislation; Legal framework for integrated waste management (NEMWA, NWA, NEMA, MPRDA and other relevant legislation); Regulations and norms and standards; Guidelines, strategies, by-laws etc.; Assessment of current practice versus legal requirements; Role players in waste management and governance, Legislation dealing with wastes of special concern; Pollution prevention, remediation and emergency incidents; Integrated waste management licencing: Process and substantive requirements.

© CEM

OMBO 679 Environmental Analysis I

Overview

• Theory, principles, origin and development of EIA • The Regulatory context for EIA & Case Law • The EIA process and comparative EIA systems o Screening & scoping, public participation o o Impact identification, prediction, evaluation and mitigation EIR quality review o Specialist studies o EIA follow-up, compliance monitoring, and enforcement • SEA; EIA and Planning • The effectiveness of EIA © CEM

OMBW 621 New Waste Management Solutions **

Overview

• Implementation of the waste management hierarchy through innovation and technology • Designing for the environment: Waste avoidance and minimisation options • Re-use and recycling of waste • Waste treatment options • Considerations for waste-to-energy technologies • Options for waste disposal • Appropriateness of technologies: Adaptation and localisation of innovation and technology • Site visit to waste management facilities in Gauteng: Technologies • Support to implement waste management solutions © CEM

OMBE 673 Research Project **

• •

Overview

Supervised research on

waste-related topic

Students should be able to conduct research under suitable supervision, by demonstrating ability to do the following: o Undertake appropriate literature searches, gather and critically interrogate multiple sources of knowledge and critically evaluate and review such o o knowledge with a view to write a succinct literature review; Write a research proposal, demonstrating the ability to think critically and argue sensibly, and ensure that the proposal complies with all scientific and ethical requirements; Select, evaluate and apply suitable methods of data gathering, analysis and interpretation to reflect on and then address complex problems in the field of Waste Management with a view to contribute to positive change in practice; o and Accurately communicate research findings to peers verbally and in written reports, with clear understanding of and respect for intellectual property

Where are we going at the NWU?

•

2016: Addition of part time delivery of Hons degree

•

2017: Masters degree in Environmental Management with specialisation in Waste Management

Questions??