Jamia Millia Islamia university will be offering a course in disaster management from the upcoming academic session 2015-2016.
According to officials, the university has felt an urgent need to launch the course after the devastating earthquake that stuck Nepal.
"In view of the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal and parts of our country, the varsity has felt an urgent need to develop academic streams of disaster management and mitigation in Indian universities," Jamia spokesperson Mukesh Ranjan said.
"The university is starting a Diploma Course in Disaster Management from the current academic session 2015-16 keeping in view the significance of this particular knowledge-domain," he added.
The university proposes to develop a model corridor in the Himalayas where students will be given practical training on various natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches, cloud-bursts, floods, untimely snow fall/rain and other extreme natural events that have become frequent and could be related to the climate change.
"This add-on course would be available to students from all streams of learning. Though the the devastating earthquake that struck the Himalayan nation and parts of India has expedited the need for such courses, the decision to introduce this at Jamia was taken much before," Ranjan said.
The course designed to support government's strategy for disaster risk reduction by institutionalising teaching, research and training in disaster management, will be open to students from all streams.
"The focus of the course will be on linking theory with practical through observation, assessment and careful analysis of hazard prone areas to comprehend their vulnerability to disasters," he added.
