Preparing future generations with a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk and Resilience

After graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Design (Architecture), Mitchell found that he had a growing interest in sustainable design and disaster resilience, and as a result, decided to continue his studies and pursue a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk and Resilience.

The Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk and Resilience is certified by CIFAL Newcastle and aligned to United Nations Institute for Training in Research (UNITAR). Mitchell states that this was a key factor in enrolling in the program.

“It was a big draw in, and I believe it will help when I decide to work overseas.”

Students can complete the Graduate Certificate full-time for six months,  or part-time for a maximum of three  years. All of the courses offered in the program are delivered in-person and online to better suit the needs of students.

"It has given me the opportunity  to learn essential skills in a short time and apply these to my current job,” Mitchell states.

“The course also offers hybrid learning, giving flexibility of reviewing classes and meeting online or in person.”

Mitchell expressed the positive impact that University of Newcastle staff had on his learning and development, especially the mentoring provided by Associate Professor Iftekhar Ahmed.

“His passion and knowledge on disaster resilience made me extremely eager to learn from him. I think we’re very lucky to have a strong advocate and leader in the field right here in Newcastle.”

During Mitchell's bachelor program, he was able to undertake work placement on two separate occasions, which helped shape his skill set and continue his professional development.

These experiences consisted of an internship at the now abolished NSW Greater Sites Commission, which allowed him to gain further insight into government planning and allowed him to rub shoulders with key industry partners and connections.

The other placement took place overseas, supported by the New Colombo Grant. This is where Mitchell had the opportunity to travel to Samoa, where his studies focused mainly on regenerative tourism and their responses to natural hazards, deepening his interest for creating sustainable designs and solving complex problems associated with architecture.

While finishing his Graduate Certificate, Mitchell currently works as a student planner with the Strategic Management Team at Port Stephens Council and is undergoing a Master of City Planning at UNSW.

Mitchell’s future career goals are to become a city planner with a focus on building sustainable and resilient towns and cities.

“To be sustainable we need to focus on preparing communities for natural hazards to prevent disasters.”

Mitchell Drover

With a growing interest in sustainable design and disaster resilience, Mitchell decided to continue further study with a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk and Resilience.

His passion and knowledge on disaster resilience made me extremely eager to learn from him. I think we’re lucky to have a strong advocate and leader in the field right here in Newcastle.