Vinod Bhat
The Indian Universities and Institutions Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (IUINDRR), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Geography & Disaster Management, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, is currently conducting a comprehensive Faculty Development Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction. This essential training programme, tailored for academicians from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, is taking place from June 3rd to June 7th, 2024, at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar.
This Regional Capacity Building Training Programme aims to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies within their respective institutions and communities, covering a wide array of topics.
Shri Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, Executive Director, NIDM, New Delhi, delivered a special address through video conferencing, focusing on the policy framework, initiatives, and the collaborative efforts required to effectively manage disaster risks in the region.
Prof. Khurshid A. Bhat, DCDC and Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, delivered the keynote address. His address touched on the broader academic and societal implications of disaster risk reduction and the role of educational institutions in leading these efforts.
Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, highlighted the larger responsibility of academic institutions to help develop a disaster-conscious and disaster-resilient society through collaborative endeavours like the present workshop.
Dr. Preeti Soni, Senior Consultant, NIDM, presented the objectives of the programme, outlining the key aims of the training and emphasizing the critical need for capacity building among academicians to build resilient communities. She apprised the participants that UGC NET-JRF in the subject of Disaster Management will be inducted in the list very soon and introduced various fellowship opportunities available at NIDM and other institutions in the field of Disaster Management.
Prof. Pervez Ahmed, Head of the Department and Programme Convener, in his introduction, provided an overview of the programme’s goals and highlighted the importance of disaster risk reduction in the regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Prof. Ahmed noted the success of the University of Kashmir in creating a pool of professionals ready to take on lead roles in various government and non-government disaster mitigation organizations, with many graduates already involved in prestigious projects implemented by the NDMA, NIDM, and the Disaster Management Authority of J&K.
Ms. Nazia Khan, IPRO, NIDM, conducted a session on the ethics of reporting during a disaster, enhancing participants’ understanding of responsible and ethical communication in disaster scenarios.
