University Centre of the Westfjords Ready to Launch New Masters Program

New master's program in Coastal and Marine Management: Cross-disciplinary, Internationally oriented, taught in English, Individually tailored studies, Offered starting in fall 2008, Deadline for applications June 5th.

Isafjordur, Iceland (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- The University Centre of the Westfjords will launch a cross-disciplinary masters program in Coastal and Marine Management next fall, with special emphasis on the northern setting. The application deadline is 5th of June and applications are available online.

The program is a resource management program that focuses on coastal and marine issues and mainly draws on three different fields: ecology, politics and economics. Important issues of the present are at the core of the Coastal and Marine Management program: sustainable utilisation and conservation of arctic coastal and marine environments in the time of climate changes.

The study covers big issues concerning transportation, tourism and coastal planning and exploitation of natural resources e.g. fisheries, fjord farming and aquaculture. Students examine the management methods used by the world's coastal nations, such as integrated coastal and marine management, which aim at maintaining the sustainability of coastal communities and resources.

The program is internationally orientated and taught in English and should therefore attract both Icelandic and foreign students. All students accepted to the Coastal and Marine Management program will be invited to take a three-week course in Icelandic Language and Culture in August, free of charge. The Master's program will be taught in three-week modules, partly by Icelandic and partly by international, researchers and teachers. This diversity of students and teachers no doubt creates a fertile and dynamic learning and research environment on the very edge of Europe.

As with so many other northern and arctic areas, the sea and the coastline have been enormously important for the Westfjords throughout the centuries, from the beginning of settlement in Iceland around the year 900 until the present day. The history of the Westfjords as well as modern day enterprises all point towards the sea.

Now the University Centre is building upon this history, in addition to seeking specialized knowledge from elsewhere. The program is therefore based on a unique position in the Western Fjords, but all instruction takes place in Ísafjordur which is the largest town in the region.

The program is a collaborative effort of the University Centre of the Westfjords and the University of Akureyri in Iceland.

For more information on the program and the University Centre of Westfjords, visit the website -- http://www.hsvest.is

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