– by Noluthando Makhaza
The Applied Population Sciences Training and Research Programme (APSTAR) of the UKZN School of Development Studies in partnership with the Department of Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund recently launched with its first module.
This eight-month programme is aimed to enhance the understanding of population issues in relation to the broader sphere of development challenges. It is mainly focused on how to integrate population factors into policies, strategies, programmes, projects and activities.
Delegates from national, provincial and local government entities charged with the responsibilities of integrating development, managing developmental and/or service delivery programmes, as well as development planning, attended the programme. The theme for the first module was the Introduction to Applied Population Sciences. Each day was facilitated by different lecturers where a variety of topics were discussed in detail, namely, Determinants of Population Dynamics; Consequences of Population Dynamics; Population and Development Indicators; and Basic Research Methods in the Social Science.
Throughout the programme, delegates will be tasked to complete long essay assignments as well as short test assignments within each module pertaining to the main theme of the module. After completing the APSTAR programme, delegates would have developed expertise on integrating population priorities into development policies and programmes which, in return, will enable them to progress within their career.
We look forward to hosting the next block session of the APSTAR programme. To find out more about the 2019 intake, please contact:
Shaughnnessa Govender
T: +27 31 260 2246