Model curriculum on disaster management for University courses in Environmental Science/Management

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

I am happy to share the model and suggestive curriculum on disaster management for introduction within diploma and masters courses in environmental sciences. Being higly interdisciplinary, it may be taught by any teacher of environmental studies preferably by teacher of environmental policy and management. UGC has included the subject as a priority in its scheme on innovative and emerging area courses for funding to Universities and also in vocational courses funding support on recommendation from NIDM/NDMA. UGC also recommends proposals for conducting university/college teachers orientation/refreshers courses on disaster management under the category of environmental science/studies. Please find the attachement with suggestive syllabus subject to modification by the board of studies.

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

Environmental research and training institutes are also been suggested under the recommendations of session on Training, education and capacity building, of 2nd India Disaster Management Congress, to include/establish specialised cell/centre for disaster risk management under climate-change/environmental policy division of their establishments. A copy of the proceedings of 2nd IDMC may be obtained from Executive Director, NIDM by writing to Mr Arun Sehdeo, Consultant (by post).

[Ninad Bodhankar]

Under the aegis of Academic Staff College at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University at Raipur, we have conducted a Workshop for College & University teachers on Disaster Management (DM) in the month of August 2011.

Students will be attracted to the PG course in DM only if the degree is recognised for job. As per now, the UPSC and State PSC do not recognise this degree. I don't think that we have people with real craving for knowledge who will enroll for such course, without any prospect of assured job. Currently, the TISS centre for DM is operating smoothly. There passouts have been absorbed in national & international NGOs and not in government sector. If the State DM Authority concept comes up in all the state's & UTs of the country, then the opportunity exists.

Please think upon, DM is incorporated in CBSE curriculum and who is teaching there? Will the school be ready to pay for a PG in DM at par with the basic science teachers. Yes for government schools and no for private schools. There is still a long way to go, to change the mind-set. Thanks.

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

Its too early to enthrust PG courses in disaster management at University level and to seek jobs directly and only focussing on DM. That's why the expert committee at UGC on DM suggested to infuse and develop specialization on disaster risk management in courses like environmental science/studies and in other interdisciplinary courses like social work.

Thus, the professionals will be developed in this area and they will continue to appear in NET/SLET exam and shall be eligible to appear in all relevant examinations as well, so duel benefits, environmetnal science as well as disaster management.

Introducing DM in the courses at Masters level is not only aimed at jobs in NGOs or any particular sector but for national building. Professional cadre is certainly required in all the sectors and for DM as well.

TISS courses focus on mainly social and humanitarian aspects and less on mitigation with S&T approach.

Environmental science being interdisciplinary with blend of earth science, ecology, biology, chemistry, GIS, forestry, engineering and also good inputs of social aspects offers the best place to host disaster management.

Asking Colleges and Schools to have additional staff to teach DM is unjustified atleast at this moment. 

Many Universities in Europe, other countries and now many universiteis in India in their Environmental Science Schools have started specialzation on disaster management.

I appreciate your concern and discuussion.

 

 

[Ninad Bodhankar]

Agreed. A subject has its value, but some subjects earn value. DM is in evolving stage, and a very cautious approach is needed. The lure of initiating a new course in curriculum of a University, may lead to disaster for student. The subject be introduced as a supplementary reading (Sub-Unit) in the existing curricula, which can be easily accommodated within science & social sciences.

I will be thankful to you, if you can guide me about the funding agencies for research projects in the field of DM.

Anil Kumar Gupta said:

Its too early to enthrust PG courses in disaster management at University level and to seek jobs directly and only focussing on DM. That's why the expert committee at UGC on DM suggested to infuse and develop specialization on disaster risk management in courses like environmental science/studies and in other interdisciplinary courses like social work.

Thus, the professionals will be developed in this area and they will continue to appear in NET/SLET exam and shall be eligible to appear in all relevant examinations as well, so duel benefits, environmetnal science as well as disaster management.

Introducing DM in the courses at Masters level is not only aimed at jobs in NGOs or any particular sector but for national building. Professional cadre is certainly required in all the sectors and for DM as well.

TISS courses focus on mainly social and humanitarian aspects and less on mitigation with S&T approach.

Environmental science being interdisciplinary with blend of earth science, ecology, biology, chemistry, GIS, forestry, engineering and also good inputs of social aspects offers the best place to host disaster management.

Asking Colleges and Schools to have additional staff to teach DM is unjustified atleast at this moment. 

Many Universities in Europe, other countries and now many universiteis in India in their Environmental Science Schools have started specialzation on disaster management.

I appreciate your concern and discuussion.

 

 

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

Exactly this is the approach we suggested and UGC agreed to. Thanks for agreement on opinion. There are many options of funding for DM projects - DST-SERC, NRDMS-DST, Climate-change cell of DST, MoEF, MoEF Climate change division, MoEF Hazardous substance division, Ministry of Earth Science, Deptt of Biotechnology, CSIR, ICSR, ICSSR (we have a project on drought risk funded by ICSSR), National Disaster Management Authority, UGC, .....

 

You can also think of collaborative project proposals.

My very best wishes 

[Ninad Bodhankar]

Thanks for guidance, I seek your personal guidance for the collaborative project proposal. Kindly let me know the tentative date and venue, I will plan accordingly. I realise that a fruitful outcome can result from collaboration.

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

Finally notified. University faculty of Environmental Studies need opt specialiazaion, in PG courses as well through Board of studies.

[Sangeeta Malhotra]

plz tell me what type of disasters a teacher is likely to discuss about? well my next question depends on your answer to this question.

[GOPI KANTA GHOSH]

Thanks

[Ninad Bodhankar]

The proposed Syllabus is comprehensive in nature, and encompasses all the aspects of DM. In AUgust 2011, we have organised a Workshop on DM for University and College faculty. The manpower needs to be trained, as the subject demands understanding of multiple subjects (Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Geology). DM is a perfect amalgamation of Science & Social Science.

UGC has emphasised a lot on imparting DM at UG & PG level, but no concrete plan of implemetation is seen. Let us find out, how many State Higher Education Departments have incorporated the subject in their curriculum, and at which level? Few of the University Teaching Departments have initiated PG courses on DM (eg TISS, Mumbai being Deemed University).

[Anil Kumar Gupta]

Now UGC has included in the priority list for Innovative and Emerging Area Couse Support Scheme under interdisciplinary courses like - environmental studies/management or science, social work, etc. Besides, research projects funding under ICSSR and UGC, DST also available under environment, climate-change, s&T, science & society programmes.

[Radhika]

Sir,

This is very good step; but what about the people who are working and want to do this course? If I want to do the course is there any distance learning scheme available? If yes please let me know.


Thanks & Regards,
Radhika Buwa.