On small islands the connection between people and the sea is very strong. Challenges are clearly present; rising sea levels, depletion of corals, rising frequency of natural disasters, waste management, food resilience and fresh water supply are challenges islands have to deal with.

In the first 9 weeks of the minor you will be immersed into sustainable island management from a people, planet, profit point of view through interactive lectures. You are encouraged and expected to read and analyse relevant scientific literature and will be actively involved in discussions. Two exams are included in this module to assess your obtained knowledge. All of this will prepare you for a project that you will carry out for a real client. These projects are either ecological or socio-economical. Also the students of the minor will organize a symposium together. The minor consists of a daytrip to one of the Dutch Wadden islands and a 2-week during fieldtrip whereby you can choose between the Dutch Caribbean or the Dutch Wadden islands. A maximum of 10 students can participate in the excursion to the Caribbean. Additional costs apply for both fieldtrip options.

Added Value:
Does it sound appealing to you to work half a year, intensively, on a small island and its threats, challenges, opportunities and solutions that are an every day's business here? Then subscribe for the minor Sustainable Island Management!

At the end of this minor the student:

1. Has insight in challenges that occur on small islands.
2. Systematically review and apply relevant literature on a specific subject
3. Systematically review and apply relevant management tools on a specific subject
4. Using different communication techniques to present a project
5. Can research an ecological or socio-economical question in the field of sustainable island management
6. Can translate research outcomes into management advice supporting the transition towards sustainable small island use.

You are interested in sustainable island management and have a propaedeutic certificate of a university (of applied sciences). Do you fit these criteria? Then you are very welcome to participate!

Some background in ecology and economy will be useful. 

Check the online learning platform for information about additional literature.

Interactive lectures, excursions, seminars, discussions, workshops, fieldwork:

Lectures  - 130 sbu
Self-study -  130  sbu

Guest lectures  - 20 sbu
Symposium  - 120 sbu
Working on assignments  - 200 sbu
Excursion  - 106 sbu
Workshops  - 70 sbu
Fieldwork  - 50 sbu

Ecology exam (written, individual, mark 0,1)                                              weight 5
Socio-economy exam (written, individual, mark 0,1)                                  weight 5
Island report (written, group, mark 0,1)                                                      weight 5
Symposium assignment (oral, individual, mark 0,1)                                   weight 4
Excursion report (written, individual, mark 0,1)                                           weight 1
Workfield assignment (written, group, mark 0,1)                                        weight 10

The amount of contact hours differs from week to week.

Capacity/waiting list:
Minimum of 15 students. If there are too few applications, the minor will not take place.