United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 14: Life below water
Fresh-water ecosystems (community outreach). Offer educational programmes on fresh-water ecosystems (water irrigation practices, water management/conservation) for local or national communities. Free, paid.
UniSC offers educational programs on freshwater ecosystems, including water irrigation practices and water management/conservation. This empowers local and national communities to sustainably manage their water resources.
These programs can provide valuable knowledge on efficient water use, the importance of conserving freshwater habitats, and innovative irrigation techniques. By fostering a deeper understanding of freshwater ecosystems, these initiatives help communities protect their water sources, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to overall environmental sustainability. Engaging in such educational efforts also promotes community involvement and awareness, leading to more resilient and informed stewardship of natural resources.
UniSC developed a free online course "Life Below Water: Conservation, Current Issues, Possible Solutions" on the Future Learn platform. It has had over 1,900 people enrol since 2021 and is rated 4.6/5 stars by user reviews.
UniSC offers Bachelor, Masters and PhD educational programmes on the management and conservation of freshwater ecosystems for national communities. Programmes include environmental science and management, engineering, law, regional planning and climate change adaptation. Courses include hydrology & geomorphology, design of roads & drainage, water supply and wastewater treatment.
UniSC's students are primarily from local communities. UniSC provides community outreach and access to its K'gari Research and Learning Centre at a discounted price for the community and is used by groups for freshwater ecosystem learning experiences such as comparing the different lake types on the Island.
Summary
UniSC offers educational programs on freshwater ecosystems that empowers communities to sustainably manage water resources and enhance environmental stewardship.