The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Trade and Development Mr Joe Costello TD today officially launched the new 3U MSc in Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Management. The post graduate programme is the first collaboration of the 3U partners, NUI Maynooth, Dublin City University (DCU) and the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), and is the first step in creating richer educational opportunities for students. The launch took place at the Business School in DCU.

The MSc in Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Management is a unique programme and is the first in the world to combine the academic disciplines of humanitarian logistics and emergency management. The programme builds on the established strengths and reputation of Ireland and in particular Irish Aid, in delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need.

Minister Costello said: "I am delighted to be here to launch this new and innovative course which will prepare graduates to address the humanitarian emergencies of the future, crises that will be more demanding and challenging than ever before. It will provide graduates with the disciplinary expertise and management tools to meet the many challenges that are encountered in the field of humanitarian relief and emergency management."

Dr Graham Heaslip, joint Programme Director of the MSc in Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Management, reinforced the Minister's message stressing, "The Philippines situation has demonstrated the importance of humanitarian logistics and the difficulties of delivering aid to those in need. These logistical challenges require specific knowledge and training for effective action in humanitarian and emergency operations. This programme addresses these areas and ensures that we are equipping our graduates with the most up to date expertise and skills to cope with the most difficult situations."

Joint programme director of the MSc in Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Management, Dr Caroline McMullan emphasised that, "The programme is applicable to emergency organisations in Ireland as it prepares students to respond to emergency situations, with the goal of ensuring business continuity and post-disaster recovery. The programme combines a rigorous academic approach with a practical edge, one that challenges students, providing them with a sound grasp of tools which may be used to further the best interests of their organisations."

The programme is designed to meet the requirements of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Irish Aid) and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for practitioners in the management of humanitarian disasters and major emergencies. The programme has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Emergency Planning Society (EPS). It is aimed at practitioners in public, private and voluntary sectors who are engaged in humanitarian logistics and emergency management.

The 3U Partnership is a major collaboration launched in 2012 between NUI Maynooth, DCU and the RCSI that combines the complementary strengths of the institutions.