NZ needs more earthquake engineers

Major destructive earthquakes in Christchurch and Kaikoura have highlighted the need for qualified earthquake engineers and the University of Auckland is launching a new programme of study to help produce them.

The Faculty of Engineering will offer a Master’s degree in earthquake engineering from next year, both for currently enrolled undergraduate students and for construction engineers already working in the industry.

The shortage of specialist earthquake engineers is a global problem as population growth in seismic zones continues to increase while new research and innovation in earthquake engineering means there is a need for engineers to update their skills and knowledge.

The Masters programme also follows developments in countries such as Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom where recent graduates are undertaking postgraduate programmes of study as demand for specialist knowledge in particular fields increases.

“Investigations into post-disaster repair and reconstruction in both Christchurch and Kaikoura have increased our understanding of the specialist expertise we need but demand has exceeded the capacity of the engineering profession,” says Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering Professor Jason Ingham.

“Our Faculty is internationally recognised for its strengths in structural and geotechnical engineering and so we are in the perfect position to offer students a programme of study that takes advantage of our outstanding teachers and researchers to produce highly qualified earthquake engineers.”