Vudal to offer geo-hazard study

THE UNIVERSITY of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) will expand its operations to include geo-hazards risks in its curriculum commencing in 2012 academic year.
The concept by vice-chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru was initiated in 2007.
The course will prepare students in specific fields of earth sciences which include volcanology, seismology and engineering geology, Mining Minister John Pundari said yesterday.
The official signing was held in Waigani, Port Moresby, between the Department of Mineral Policy and Geo-hazards Management (DMPGM) and the Office of Higher Education to formalise the affiliation of DMPGM to the university. 
Pundari said the establishment of the school would produce specialised graduates who could be immediately employed in the fields of geohazards management mitigation after graduating from UNRE.
He added that the affiliation of DMPGM to UNRE through the school of geohazards at the university anchored well with the department’s strategic and corporate plans to achieve its vision 2015.
Minister for Higher Education Michael Ogio lauded efforts of responsible officials who worked tireless to realise the programme.
Siaguru, in the meantime, said the university had looked at expanding courses without duplicating it with other universities.
He said UNRE, located in the New Guinea Islands region, an area prone to threats of volcanic eruptions and tsunami amongst other natural disasters, was the main reason why the concept was initiated as a “thought of control”.