Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute (formerly known as Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry) has added an Advanced Diploma in Forestry Management to its academic offerings.

The Advanced Diploma in Forestry Management (NQF Level 7) is targeted at both employed and unemployed prospective students from South Africa and beyond.

“The qualification has been designed to develop the students’ understanding of the principles, criteria and standards driving sustainable forest management, and to provide them with all the tools required to implement these sustainable forest management practices in line with various legislation and standards,” explained Dr Tshidzumba Ratsodo Phillip, Head of Department for Forestry and National Resource Management at Fort Cox.

“Familiarising students with information technology software relevant to the industry is another key component of the advanced diploma, as is facilitating the students’ systematic engagement in research activities,” he said.

The course has been developed to blend face-to-face and online learning, with prospective students able to choose a one-year full-time option or a two-year part-time modular option.

To achieve the Advanced Diploma, students will be required to complete eight core modules:
• Forestry Development
• Forestry Management III
• Tree Improvement
• Research Methodology
• Forest Costing and Budgeting
• Project Management
• Forestry GIS and Remote Sensing
• Research Project

The course is scheduled to commence in March 2021. Applications for 2021 admissions are closing on 31 January 2021. Prospective students are encouraged to complete an online application for admission form.

Entry requirements for this programme are a Diploma in Forestry qualification at NQF Level 6, with a minimum of 360 credits and related qualifications.

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