 DLIST is a place to learn more about coastal development. Supported by all the information available in the library, links and hotspot sections, as well as the network of partners, DLIST provides an ideal web-based platform for distance learning. Anyone along the coastal areas of Angola, Namibia and South Africa or anywhere in the world can enrol in the accredited courses offered on DLIST to enhance their knowledge.
If you want to know more about your coast and its resources, DLIST-Benguela enables you to study online and interact with students from other places in the BCLME and elsewhere. Key focus areas for DLIST distance learning are coastal development, coastal populations and livelihoods, coastal and marine resources of the BCLME, threats, transboundary problems and solutions, and co-management of coastal and marine resources. All you need is a computer with internet access and to enrol in one of the existing courses.
What courses are available now?
Currently there are two courses available online: Environmental Engineering – Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas , offered by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in South Africa to both students at the campus and distance learners; and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Integrated Coastal Zone Management, offered by the University of Namibia (UNAM).
The CPUT Environmental Engineering course was the first course tested on the DLIST portal during the pilot phase and more than 10 distance students from different areas of South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania have already graduated. These students have since 2003 been providing feedback on the course, which has helped improve the course and make it more useful to university students, communities, government staff and any individuals interested in enhancing their skills in coastal development issues
The Department of Natural Sciences and Conservation in the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Namibia (UNAM) offers a four year Bachelors of Science degree course in Natural Resources, which provides for two specialization options: (a) Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and (b) Integrated Environmental Science. The Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences option offers a module on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) - at the final year level (fourth year). The module is being offered on a pilot basis on the DLIST portal since March 2008 with the conventional full time students.
And in the near future?
More courses are expected to become available in the next 3 years. A Cleaner Production Course is being developed as a partnership between the Polytechnic of Namibia and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The course is aimed at engineering students of the Polytechnic and will also be available as a distance learning module on DLIST. A Stakeholder Participation course is also being developed. This is aimed at conducting processes which stakeholders ought to be involved in and at stakeholders themselves. While the basic concepts are general, some of the issues and case studies are oriented for a Southern African audience, particularly South Africa, Namibia and Angola.
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