Environmental problems and issues have increasingly become complex in the modern globalised world. Global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and corporate environment responsibilities like going in for ISO certification, eco-labelling, green rating of projects make the discipline of environmental management more relevant than before.
Irreversibility being central to all environmental issues, no one can think of controlling nature. But, managing environment is humanly possible. The need of the hour is environmental managers with professionalism.
It was in recognition of this need that the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi, stepped in to offer MBA in Environmental Management in 2006. The course offered by the Department of Environmental Management, under the School of Environmental Sciences, is the first of its kind in the country. In 2008, the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, recognised the course under ‘Innovative Programme' with a grant of Rs.50 lakh.
According to M. Ravichandran, Department Head, trained scientists from different branches of environmental sciences form the core faculty. The course content encompasses myriad aspects of environment; starting from introduction to ecology and environment, environmental risk assessment, energy and environment, GIS and environment, environmental economics, forest resource management, bioremediation, waste management, industrial ecology, corporate environmental strategy, environmental ethics and legislation, water resource management, environmental planning, climate change, and clean development mechanism.
The course structure necessitates students to undergo basic courses like principles of management, micro economics, mathematics and operations research in the first semester as in any other management course and focus mainly on environment management subject in the subsequent semesters. Rigorous orientation is given through excellent teaching of subjects along with training through industrial visits. As part of the curriculum, students are given practical exposure to techniques of measuring air quality, testing water quality, recycling waste, composting, preparation of bio-manure, and significance of eco-san toilets.
Placement of students has been encouraging so far. Two batches have passed out since 2006 and more than 50 per cent of students got placements in research institutes, waste management companies, and in a few NGO-initiated projects. A silver lining of this MBA programme is that students get to understand and address environmental problems from the perspectives of natural science, physical science, earth science, and social science. At the end of the two-year programme, students develop holistic aptitudes and attitudes towards environmental issues, explained Dr. Ravichandran.
A postgraduate in environmental management will be capable of understanding environmental problems in the right perspective, knows concepts, principles, theory, techniques of measuring environmental quality, technology that controls pollution, pollution standards, policies to be implemented, and regulatory compliance towards effective management of environment.
Basic qualification to join the programme is a pass in any degree with fifty per cent marks. Admitted students are eligible for backward class and Schedule Caste scholarships from the State Government.
For more details, dial 98425 25728 or email muruguravi@yahoo.co.in.
