Durham, N.C. – The Duke Environmental Leadership (DEL) Executive Education Program has created an innovative new course for a team of 24 Chinese water engineers coming to North Carolina. Beginning on Wednesday and continuing for 10 weeks, the program marks the first time that DEL, a part of Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, has created a custom, onsite training for international environmental professionals seeking ways to integrate sustainable practices into business solutions.

The curriculum for “International Business Development and Engineering Project Management Training” was developed in collaboration with RTI International and Triad Engineering of Morganton, W.Va.

“Our students represent a civil engineering organization in China that wants to expand internationally,” said Sherri Nevius, assistant dean for executive and distance learning programs. “They need to acquire the business skills necessary to succeed in new markets. The course also has created an opportunity for us to explore the juncture of business and the environment.”

Sessions will be presented by Nicholas School faculty, including Avner Vengosh, Deborah Rigling Gallagher and Jay Golden. Additional instructors include Don Wells, DEL leadership advisor; Wendy Kuran, associate vice president for business development at Duke Kunshan University in China; and faculty from Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, Fuqua School of Business and Pratt School of Engineering, as well as other leading academic, government, private and nonprofit organizations.

In addition to their time in the Triangle, course participants will spend October 27-31 studying at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C. Cultural excursions are planned during the group’s extended stay in the Triangle.

For information about the DEL Executive Education program or Duke’s online Master of Environmental Management (DEL-MEM) program, go to http://nicholas.duke.edu/del/overview.

The Duke Environmental Leadership Program advances the Nicholas School mission by providing innovative educational and outreach opportunities designed specifically for environmental, business and community leaders.

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Note to editors: Sherri Nevius and program participants are available for scheduled interviews. DEL-MEM student Shengyuan Su is serving as cultural liaison and may be available to facilitate translation.