Master of Science of Physical Land Resources

[jfvasconcelos]

Master of Science of Physical Land Resources
University of Gent, Belgium

http://www.icp-itp.ugent.be/ICP/PLR.htm
http://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv

General information
The programme in Physical Land Resources has its roots in the former Master of Science programmes in Soil Science, organised by the International Training Centre for Post-Graduate Soil Scientists (ITC-Gent), and Eremology, organised by the International Centre for Eremology (ICE), both at the Ghent University.

The ITC-Gent has a long-standing reputation in the academic formation and training of soil scientists in basic soil science and survey and agricultural applications of soil science. Founded in 1963, with support of UNESCO, in answer to a large number of requests from abroad, the Institute has trained over 800 students from about 90 different nations from all over the globe.

The ICE was founded in 1989, as a reaction to the disastrous droughts Sahelian countries were suffering from since the early 1970's. As such a special branch of science devoted to the study of desert and semi-desert conditions, named "eremology" (from greek "eremos", meaning : desert) was created. Since its foundation about 70 students from 30 different countries have graduated from the Centre.

For the new programme in Physical Land Resources, started in 1997, an appeal was made to the Faculty of Engineering at the "Vrjie Universiteit Brussel", to cooperate and to widen the scope of the course with an option focusing on the non-agricultural use and applications of physical land resources.

A country's physical land resources are a fundamental pillar of support for human life and welfare. Worldwide, population pressures and severe degradation, pollution and desertification problems are threatening this - for several countries relatively scarce - natural resource, and cause competition between agricultural or industrial purposes, urban planning and nature conservation. To guarantee a proper use and management of this for a nation basic commodity, well trained specialists with a thorough knowledge of the properties and characteristics of this natural resource, and a solid insight in factors and measures that may alter its actual state and value are warranted and call for a high standard scientific and practical education.

About Ghent University
Ghent University, abbreviated to UGent, is one of the major universities in the Dutch-speaking region. Over 130 faculty departments, divided over 11 faculties, offer high-quality courses in every one of their scientific disciplines, each inspired by innovative research.

Ghent University distinguishes itself as a socially committed and pluralistic university in a broad international perspective.

Despite its continuing growth, UGent maintained its position within the Ghent city centre: our campusses form a proverbial ribbon through the historical city.