Asphalt Review - Volume 29 Number 2 (June / July 2010)

ASPHALT REVIEW
Post Graduate Studies
through Distance Learning -
NEW ENROLLMENTS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Those of us involved in road construction
understand the very important role
flexible pavements play in our economy
and society. Without high quality flexible
pavements linking communities and
providing all important transport routes
our society would be a lot poorer.
High quality roads are also beneficial
to the environment, reducing the risk
of accidents, lowering noise and even
reducing fuel consumption and wear
and tear on vehicles. The travel time is
also reduced on well constructed and
maintained flexible pavement surfaces.
The Australian flexible pavement
industry has shown that it can produce
world class roads. However, to continue
to do this we must ensure that staff are
well trained. For this reason, AAPA offers
a range of practical and relevant training
courses We also need highly trained
engineers and pavement designers. For
this reason AAPA and Austroads support
the Centre for Pavement Engineer
Education (CPEE) in its offering of post
graduate courses. The following article
highlights the work of CPEE in offering
high quality training through distance
education.
There is a continuing need for increased
capability and knowledge in the work
environment particularly in technical areas
associated with the design, construction
and maintenance of road pavements
and other major infrastructure assets.
Yet there is also increasing pressure on
time and it is frequently not possible or
convenient to undertake study via face to
face courses at universities.
The distance education courses offered
by the Centre for Pavement Engineering
Education (CPEE) provide a unique
and convenient option to learn and gain
relevant knowledge and qualifications
without the need to attend classrooms
CPEE’s targeted distance education
approach is now in its 14th year and
is well regarded by the whole of the
pavement industry, including state and
local government. It is also strongly
supported by Austroads and AAPA.
CPEE offers a Graduate Certificate
of Pavement Technology, Master of
Technology and Master of Engineering
in Pavements, and applications are now
being accepted for these courses for study
period 2, 2010.
The Graduate Certificate of Pavement
Technology comprises four units. The
LaTrobe University accredited Master of
Technology comprises eight units and the
Master of Engineering in Pavements, 12
units.
In conjunction with the University
of Tasmania and the Institute of Public
Works and Engineering Association
(IPWEA), CPEE has also launched a new
Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure
Asset Management.
This provides a unique and relevant
course directed at infrastructure
managers and those seeking to work in
this increasingly important area. The
significant number of enrolments to date
indicates this new offering has been very
well received and contains the content
practitioners are seeking.
All CPEE courses are very practical
and encourage direct application of
the skills and knowledge acquired. The
application of learning to problems in the
workplace is facilitated by the distance
education format, which does not require
attendance at a university or attend
face-to-face sessions, but encourages
those undertaking courses to apply their
knowledge in their workplace wherever
possible.
With most of the units incorporating
the latest revised Austroads Guides, each
provides up to date technical content.
Units may also be selected to suit the
needs of individuals wishing to update
specific knowledge. This means students
are able to apply what they learn directly
and immediately to their day-to-day
activities, providing benefits to both the
student and the employer.
It is also possible just to undertake a
single unit on a specific topic for those
wishing to gain a focused learning
immediately.
For further information, email info@
pavementeducation.edu.au or visit the
CPEE website www.pavementeducation.
edu.au
36 ROADS JUNE 2010/JULY 2010