Chandan Ghosh, professor and head of the National Institute of Disaster Management, talks about their vision, new programmes and courses
What is NIDM online course all aboutIJ
The institute is offering online courses on Disaster Risk Management in collaboration with the World Bank (GFDRR), Washington. The aim of this programme is to raise awareness and preparedness as well as to enhance analytical skills and professional competence of distant key stakeholders in different areas of disaster risk management. The NIDM online course is first-of-its-kind in India which helps distant users in acquiring knowledge base in the subject. The course also facilitates participants to globally share their views, ideas and information on a common platform.
Courses are designed specifically to build competencies of disaster management professionals, development practitioners and general public. It is beneficial for those who are not able to attend or does not have much time to attend face to face programmes. Courses are free from any face to face discussion or exams, that require you to be present there.
The online discussion forum facilitate participants to share their views, experiences, documents, images and videos. Participants can receive discussion forum entries in their personal e-mails.
The success in the course largely depends on certain parameters like completion of personal profiles, country profile, participation in the discussion forum, timely submission of assignments and end of the course projects etc. We will also offer online courses like Basic Course — Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework is the introductory course that deals with the fundamental concepts of disaster risk management and is open for all interested in acquiring basic knowledge of the subject.
There are nine specialised courses which deal with the specific areas related to disaster risk management. We aim to be a premier institute of excellence for training and research on disaster risk mitigation and management in India and to be recognised as one of the leading Institutions at the international level in this field.
What are the new functions in disaster managementIJ
Under the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Institute inter alia, has been entrusted with the following functions. Develop training modules, undertake research and documentation in disaster management and organise training programmes. Formulate and implement a comprehensive human resource development plan covering all aspects of disaster management. Provide assistance in national level policy formulation. Provide required assistance to the training and research institutes for development of training and research programmers for various stakeholders. Provide assistance to the state governments and state training institutes in the formulation of state level policies, strategies, disaster management framework and any other assistance as may be required for capacity-building. Develop educational materials for disaster management including academic and professional courses. Promote awareness among stakeholders including college/school teachers and students, technical personnel and others associated with multi-hazard mitigation, preparedness and response measures. Undertake, organise and facilitate study courses, conferences, lectures, seminars within and outside the country to promote disaster management. The institute has four academic divisions besides the administration and finance divisions: policy, planning and cross cutting issues, geo-hazards risk management.
What training are you providingIJ
Face-to-face training: NIDM conducts both in campus and off-campus training programmers, mostly in state capitals at the premises of the administrative training institutes of the states, on various themes covering a wide range of subjects and sectors for senior and middle level government officials.
Web-based training: The institute collaborates with World Bank Institute, Washington to conduct on-line training programmers on Comprehensive Natural Disaster Risk Management Framework and seven specialised subjects on disaster management.
Satellite-based training: The institute collaborates with some administrative training institutes to conduct satellite-based training programmes through the ISRO community centres that have satellite based one-way video and two-way audio communication system.
Self study courses: The aim of these courses is to create interests and raise the level of awareness of people regarding disaster management.
Disaster management centres and centres of excellence in the states:
NIDM has been implementing the Central Sector Scheme for providing financial assistance to state ATIs! Presently 30 such centres are operational. Each centre conducts about 25 training courses and train about SUU participants annually.