Nobel Peace Prize Winner Gives Seal of Approval to New Climate Change and Development Module

(PRWeb UK) June 3, 2009 -- Dr Rolph Payet launched a new study module entitled 'Climate Change and Development', also the subject of a special lecture he presented called: 'Countdown to Copenhagen: What Next for Climate Change and Development?'

Dr Payet, lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) who also jointly shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former Vice President Al Gore, was speaking at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The special lecture was attended by more than 100 guests from a wide range of backgrounds.

He was presented with a study pack by Professor Andrew Dorward, Academic Director and Professor of Development Economics at the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (http://www.soas.ac.uk/cedep/) (CeDEP, SOAS, University of London). The special lecture and presentation took place on Thursday 28 May 2009.

Dr Payet, also a University of London External System (http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/) alumnus, welcomed the introduction of the module which will be made available from February 2010. It is aimed at a wide range of students including professionals who want to understand and enhance their knowledge and skills in this area.

He commented: "Education is a way to raise awareness on environmental issues. The challenge of climate change requires a broadening of skills which such a module will provide to those aspiring to make a difference to the world."

Professor Andrew Dorward said: "I am delighted that someone of Dr Payet's standing should choose to endorse our latest study module on Climate Change and Development - this is a subject that clearly touches all our lives. The distance learning postgraduate module available will be of interest to people from all walks of life, including professionals who wish to extend or update their knowledge in this field."

Notes for Editors

* The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.

* The University's founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.

* In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth Charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.

* The University of London External System is a unique global network of 45,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmes ranging from social sciences to law to health.

* The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education - all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.

* Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of 'special relations'.

* Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.

* Famous former students and alumni of the External System include six Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott, Nelson Mandela and Rolph Payet.

* To find out more about the External System:

- www.londonexternal.ac.uk

* Part of the School of Oriental and African Studies, CeDEP undertakes research and postgraduate teaching in the fields of applied economics, environmental management, and sustainability and development.

For further information contact:

Binda Rai

Head of Global Media and Public Relations

University of London External System

Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8545 (office)

+44 (0)7920 476483 (mobile)

Peter Quinn

Senior Communications Manager

University of London External System

Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 5584 (office)

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