The nation's first
School of Global Sustainability will be housed at the
University of South Florida. The school's goal is an innovative effort to prepare students for a new generation of "green collar" jobs that will lead to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The key word is "global," says Vickie Chachere, news manager of USF Communications & Marketing. While other universities and colleges have sustainability programs that focus on particular aspects of sustainability, USF is the first program to explore sustainability from a global perspective.
"USF's approach to sustainability is that they recognize that no one state, country or program is going to solve our sustainability issue. It has to be looked at from a global perspective," Chachere says.
The School of Global Sustainability will formally launch on Thursday, Feb. 11, with a two-day conference featuring some of science's leading thinkers on climate change and sustainability.
It is estimated that the new green economy will create 2.5 million jobs in coming years, and the School of Global Sustainability will help to educate that new workforce.
"The University of South Florida is committed to creating a 21st Century which is healthy, sustainable and prosperous for both Florida and for communities far beyond our borders. This school is a major step in that direction," says USF President Judy Genshaft.
Staying true to their green goals, the school will use online learning and technological advances to allow students to complete the program. The first class of graduate students will be enrolled in summer 2010.
The two-day conference at the Marshall Student Center will include representatives from USF's Global Academic Partners: Nankai University, China; University of Exeter, U.K.; and University of Ghana and University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Womans' University President Bae-Yong Lee of South Korea will be presented with the President's Global Leadership Award for her efforts to foster international research, solutions and discussions of issues of global concern.
The event is open to the public, however, seating is limited and RSVPs are required. To RSVP, e-mail
[email protected] or call 813-974-5534.
Writer:
Nancy Vaughn
Source: Vickie Chachere, USF
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