RGU introduces innovative Post Graduate Retrofit Course
The Scott Sutherland School is a frontrunner in terms of sustainable design, construction and maintenance in the built environment. The accreditation by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) is a recognition of this.
Retrofitting is a must
Course leader, Amar Bennadji, said: “Given the fact that the great majority of buildings will still be in use in 2050, upgrading or retrofitting existing housing stock with energy improvements is an absolute must, if net-zero targets are to be met. Our new post-graduate course in Building Retrofit is part of a portfolio of courses with sustainability at the core and I’m delighted to be surrounded by such a dedicated development team.”
Scottish targets & commitments
Currently around 13% of Scotland’s carbon emissions are related to the way homes are heated. Scottish Government targets aim to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045, with a commitment that gas boilers will no longer be installed in new homes from 2024. In Aberdeen, 45% of homes have no wall insulation, many suffer from damp problems and have poor indoor air quality, (Scottish House Condition Survey 2019).
Building on existing research
Together with the rest of the Stronghouse consortium, the RGU is dedicated to helping homeowners retrofit their home. The new post-graduation course will build upon the ongoing research being undertaken in this context.
“We know a great deal in terms of energy efficiency – this has been strengthened by the exchange of knowledge and experience shared within the Stronghouse cooperation. However, the industry needs to start ramping up the skills required to deliver energy renovation projects. Theoretical and practical know-how is needed. I hope RGU’s new course will encourage other institutions to contribute to the 600,000 strong workforce needed in the UK to achieve our energy and carbon reducing ambitions,” Dr. Bennadji adds.
Developing specialist expertise
Starting next September, the PG Cert Building Retrofit course will be offered online. Students can develop specialist expertise to effectively work in this field in the UK context and make a significant contribution to the net-zero agenda. As part of the course, they’ll consider the balance between performance, cost and disruption (such as when insulating an old property). The course contains two distinctive parts, whereby the theoretical aspects are enhanced by a simulated practical situation. There is also close involvement with local industry in course delivery.
Sharing, inspiring, exchanging
Experience and further developments regarding this innovative post graduate course will be shared within the Stronghouse collaboration. This, in turn, inspires and ameliorates other partner innitiatives being created to support the further acceleration and uptake of energy renovation measures amongst homeowners across the North Sea Region and beyond.
To find out more visit: Building Retrofit Course with PgCert | RGU University – Aberdeen, Scotland, UK | RGU
Sourced from an article by Jenny Frost, RGU
