Ireland's first degree course in tackling natural disasters such as flood and famine was officially opened today.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley unveiled the new course in emergency management at DCU Business School in Dublin and said it could help fight the effects of global warming at home and abroad.
The university cited the threat of more frequent flooding, the spread of disease, as well as the impact of natural disasters caused by a tsunami or hurricanes, as evidence of the need for the highly skilled management of emergencies.
DCU said its new diploma and degree course would support those already in the emergency services or crisis planning, while also offering a career path to anyone wanting to help the planet's response to natural and man-made disasters.
"This programme is an innovative new development in Irish education. Effective emergency management is of crucial and ever-growing importance to the Irish economy and the Irish people," Mr Gormley said.
PA