Charles Darwin University’s new Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies is proving a hit among young Territorians, according to course co-ordinator Dan Baschiera.
Developed from CDU’s Bachelor of Welfare Studies, the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies is Australia’s first undergraduate humanitarian degree.
Enrolments for the redeveloped degree are already 42% up on last year’s corresponding total admission figure, and 2008 enrolments are expected to strengthen further with several weeks still remaining in CDU’s intake period.
Mr Baschiera said he believed that the interest being shown in the degree reflected the developing social maturity in Australian society where people, and in particular young people, are beginning to question the practices which drive mainstream society.
“The new generation is very concerned about the mess that is being left to them,” he said.
“People are concerned with the global crisis politically and environmentally and see a humanitarian approach as a way of being able to do something constructive.
“I think the shocking levels of social dysfunction identified in the ‘Children are Sacred’ report have also caused a humanitarian reaction with young Territorians in particular.”
Mr Baschiera said the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies would provide students with the knowledge and skills to positively impact the growing humanitarian welfare demands occurring worldwide.
“It is a proactive strategy by CDU to provide graduates who will be able to tactically service the recovery and reconstruction demands of emergencies and disasters.”
Mr Bascheria said that practical components for the course would include a two-week live-in intensive at CDU’s Katherine campus with one week on a remote Mataranka station where students would organise a simulated humanitarian project to test their practical skills, remote team living and humanitarian security.
“We are hoping to obtain supportive sponsorship to assist in gaining much needed training materials such as those required for setting up a field hospital.”
Mr Baschiera can be contacted on 8946 7359 or at dan.baschiera@cdu.edu.au.