Sustainability at heart of new double degree program

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USQ Springfield has launched a new dual degree program, the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Accounting and Sustainable Business (BSBC).

The four-year dual program is aimed at producing the next generation of graduates qualified to guide business through the process of becoming sustainable in terms of business practices, carbon emissions and energy management.

Through a partnership with the North American, City University of Seattle (CityU) and a credit guarantee option, students undertaking the corporate social responsibility major as part of the Bachelor of Commerce can receive recognition from CityU.

Students taking this option will gain full credit towards their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with no additional academic work, thereby receiving three degrees from their studies at USQ.

Campus Executive Manager Doug Fraser said the new four-year program complemented the existing three-year Bachelor of Accounting and Sustainable Business (BACS) which embeds the principles of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative).

‘The suite of sustainable business and commerce/accounting programs USQ now offer reflects the climate, in which modern businesses operate,’ Mr Fraser said.

‘Corporate sustainability reporting has become a high priority. There is strong evidence of a direct relationship between sustainability, share prices and long term profitability’.

These programs will focus future decision makers including accountants, public servants, business managers and security analysts on the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental accountability to meet the public’s expectations of corporate responsibility.’

Springfield student Tracey Holt chose to study accounting and sustainable business because of the future directions the qualification could take her.

‘In 2011, I listened to international guest speaker Professor Ulrich Nissen from Germany talk about carbon pricing and the natural price rise of energy at a USQ seminar. He said there was no other course like USQ’s Bachelor of Accounting and Sustainable Business in the world.

‘I feel very privileged to be one of a select number of students to be given the opportunity to study this program. It is unique and offers graduates an advantage that few other degrees offer.

‘As a USQ student I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities offered to me to broaden my educational horizons beyond the lecture room including attending the Global Reporting Initiative Conference in Melbourne.

‘This qualification will be a tool for USQ graduates to help businesses and organisations, align environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability with business success.’

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