Analysis of organisation and logistics behind the PCAS

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Science
Degree name
Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2013
Authors
McKenzie, Jacinta
Abstract

It is hard for students to appreciate the effort that goes on behind the scenes to organise a university programme that includes a trip to Antarctica. The aim of this study is to analyse the current management and organisation of the 2012/2013 Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies (PCAS) programme and the logistics behind it. The logistical issues will be reviewed, based on four framework topics: (1) the meaning of logistics; (2) teaching and learning methods; (3) group behaviour in remote environments and (4) the effectiveness of these three themes relating to the PCAS aims. These issues are grounded on the positive relationship between Gateway Antarctica (GA), Antarctica NZ (ANZ) and the 2012/2013 PCAS students, where concerns around the need for precise archiving of documents, clarity of what Antarctic Field Training (AFT) incorporates, changes to the date PCAS goes to Antarctica and assessment and classroom concerns from students, are examined. Time constraints are prevalent when addressing these issues, but implementing these recommendations, such as GA hiring an extra assistant to archive documents, or ANZ compiling a checklist for AFT training, can aid towards more efficient logistics for PCAS. Continuing communication among all three parties is vital to the programme‟s success and should not be underestimated.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved