Sustainable Science Management Degree Approved for Maui

By Wendy Osher

Photo courtesy UH-Maui College.

The University of Hawai’i Board of Regents granted provisional status for a new bachelor of applied science degree at UH Maui College.

The bachelor’s in sustainable science management is the third baccalaureate degree program now offered at UHMC.  It is also recognized as on of the only degree programs within the university system, with a special focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.

The degree program provides workforce training for the emerging green industry in Maui County, the state of Hawai‘i and throughout the nation.

“A recent publication of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations identifies Maui as the county with the largest green workforce sector and largest potential in the state,” said Joie Taylor, sustainable science management program coordinator at UH Maui College. “Community and national companies such as the Grand Wailea and Sandia National Laboratories have extended their support in partnerships, course development, and classroom participation,” said Taylor.

Students in the BAS program are guided on an educational path to careers that seek to identify, implement and design methods of becoming more sustainable economically, environmentally and socially.  The program integrates topics in energy, ecology, business and management, water and wastewater, agriculture, wastewater management, economics, policy and social science.

“We are particularly excited about launching the first sustainability-focused degree in Hawai‘i to emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, conservation, generation and storage,” said UH Maui College Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto. “UH Maui College is also committed to addressing the green workforce opportunities related to water, wastewater management, waste, agriculture, transportation, and many other areas. We will generally seek to reduce our natural resource consumption and greenhouse gas production, improve our strategies and expand our efforts to sustain our islands as precious resources for our future generations,” said Chancellor Sakamoto.

The BOR also approved the establishment of an advanced professional certificate in culinary management at Kapi‘olani Community College. Both programs are scheduled for implementation in fall 2011.

*** Supporting information courtesy the University of Hawai’i.