UGC seeks disaster management studies at Under Graduate level

Disaster management will soon be an optional paper as part of the curricula for all undergraduate (UG) courses at universities and affiliated colleges recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In a latest directive, the UGC has asked vice-chancellors (VCs) of all 566 universities in the country to initiate steps for introducing disaster management as an optional subject in UG-level courses. It has also circulated a model syllabus, related to the proposed subject, for the universities to adopt and implement in classrooms.

Disaster management will be the second course of its kind to be introduced as part of the UoP curriculum, if the academic council decides to adopt the UGC recommendation and the model syllabus.

In August 2011, the UoP introduced a paper on 'Human rights and duties', as a compulsory component of its curriculum for all courses. The only differentiating factor is that the disaster management course will be an optional paper and not a compulsory component.

The entire exercise comes as part of the Union government's high priority to disaster mitigation through structured educational programmes and professional training.

R Manoj Kumar, UGC's education officer, wrote a letter to all VCs on November 29, pointing out that a four-member committee comprising academic experts, Janki B Andharia, Surya Prakash, Anil Kumar Gupta and Krishan Mohan, was appointed by the UGC to suggest measures for promoting disaster management education in the university system.

On October 22, the UGC executive body met for considering the expert panel's report and gave its approval to the introduction of an optional paper on disaster management at UG level across universities and affiliated colleges. The commission also decided to introduce the course as one of the topics in orientation and refresher courses offered to teachers by the Academic Staff Colleges, Kumar said.

The disaster management course is expected to create a basis to work towards preparedness and also help develop a culture of safety and prevention.