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The
UNEPprimary focus of the GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre
was founded in 2015 to provide global capacity development in water(GEMS/Water CDC) at University College Cork is to build capacity for ambient freshwater quality monitoring and assessment
. The importance of good quality freshwater for health and development have recently been highlighted by the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated Sustainable Development Goals. The Centre is working on a programme of activities that will support this Agenda.The short, on-line courses are aimed at individuals involved in all aspects of freshwater quality management, staff in higher education and research, and industry staff responsible for water use, wastewater treatment and discharge. The courses, offered by the UN Environment GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre, in conjunction with University College Cork (UCC), are particularly suitable for professionals looking to expand their knowledge in specific areas relevant to their work.
The courses are accredited by UCC and delivered online in conjunction with the UCC Centre for Continuous Professional Development.
Each course is twelve weeks in duration with one new lesson per week.
The assessment for each course comprises online Multiple Choice Question tests.
All courses run twice a year commencing in January and September each year. Applications can be made at any time but no later than six weeks prior to the start of the course.
The courses are stand-alone, credit-bearing courses at postgraduate level and may be used as credits in other appropriate degree and diploma programmes.
globally. The GEMS/Water CDC seeks to achieve this by providing education, training, guidance and appropriate support, based on recognized capacity needs at national and regional levels, in ambient freshwater quality monitoring and assessment in countries worldwide.
To ensure the maximum possible impact and availability of GEMS/Water training materials, several approaches are used:
Online training courses: our training is primarily available online and is suitable for anyone with an interest in freshwater quality monitoring and management. This includes, for example, staff of water resources and environment agencies responsible for ambient water quality, staff in higher education and research or industry staff responsible for freshwater use.
GEMS/Water short courses accredited by University College Cork are offered at regular intervals each year. Current short courses on offer include:
Freshwater monitoring programme design
Quality assurance for freshwater quality monitoring
Data handling, assessment and presentation for freshwater quality monitoring
Water quality monitoring and assessment of rivers, lakes and reservoirs
Water quality monitoring and assessment of groundwater
Freshwater quality monitoring with biota and particulate matter
Unaccredited versions of a number of these courses are also available for self-paced learning through UNEP’s e-learning platform, with further courses planned for future.
Workshops: the GEMS/Water CDC have developed a series of technical workshops which are currently available to address specific aspects of water quality monitoring and management.
Postgraduate qualifications: the GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre at UCC offers a 2-year part-time online postgraduate diploma (PGDip) as well as a 3-year part-time online MSc in Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment through University College Cork.
The 2-year Postgraduate Diploma covers many aspects of water quality monitoring and is taught by professionals and experts in these areas. Focus areas include:
freshwater quality monitoring programme design,
quality assurance in water quality monitoring,
analysis and presentation of water quality data,
monitoring and assessment of rivers, lakes and groundwater, and use of biological and ecological methods in water quality monitoring, and monitoring of particulate matter in freshwaters.