Dubbo to be centre for engineering management course

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Dubbo to be centre for engineering management course


Engineers in central and western NSW are being offered the chance to study for a Master of Engineering Management close to home with face-to-face teaching, thanks to the University of Technology, Sydney. The Faculty of Engineering at UTS is gauging interest in running the course in Dubbo next year - the first time within Australia the university will offer a coursework engineering masters with face-to-face teaching outside of Sydney. The move follows a study tour of councils in regional NSW that found many engineers employed in local government were looking to upgrade their qualifications but couldn't take time to study in Sydney and would prefer another option to studying purely by distance mode. UTS Engineering's Associate Dean International and Enterprise Development, Associate Professor Tom Anderson, said the two-year part-time Master of Engineering Management (MEM) would be taught using the same lecturers and course content as offered in Sydney. "The only difference is that we come to Dubbo rather than you having to come to us," he said. "As postgraduate students are usually busy professionals, the MEM will be offered in block mode format, with four days of teaching and an additional part day of assessment in Dubbo each semester. The seminar sessions will be held close to the centre of town and close to accommodation." Professor Anderson, who will be one of the academics teaching the course, said the program to be offered was designed for engineers employed in local government roles but could also be suitable for other professionals and people working in engineering-related jobs. Subjects would include Local Government Powers and Practice, Managing Projects, Engineering Financial Control, Road Engineering Practice, Judgment and Decision Making, Economic Evaluation, Leadership and Responsibility and Asset Maintenance Management. "People taking the course may be looking to move into a higher management position or to formalise skills and knowledge learnt through practice," Professor Anderson said. "They also may be looking to broaden their knowledge base or catch up on some up-to-date managerial/technical aspects. "Study options will be flexible - people can complete part of the program and gain a graduate certificate, study for the masters over a longer period than two years part-time or mix and match with other subjects offered in Sydney or by distance mode. "The face-to-face component will enhance learning and provide valuable contact with not only lecturers, but peers. Engineers who have studied by distance mode have told us that what they particularly missed during their studies was an opportunity to network with other professionals. "UTS Engineering has a long and proud history in the delivery of high-quality courses in local government engineering and engineering management. Our courses and subjects are designed to focus on the practice of engineering, with many of our staff having very strong industry and/or government linkages." Professor Anderson has won numerous awards including the Australian National Award for University Teaching in 1999. Before joining UTS he was a resident engineer with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and was involved in many large projects, including being Resident Engineer for the $20 million Mooney Mooney bridge on the F3 freeway north of Sydney. People interested in the MEM should phone (02) 9514 2666 or e-mail engineering@uts.edu.au Friday 15 December 2006