DISASTER RISK DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT COURSES SETUP SCENARIO AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY. Makerere University

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1 DISASTER RISK DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT COURSES SETUP SCENARIO AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

2 CASE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY Derek Muhwezi 2

3 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT To provide and promote quality education, skills transfer and research in geographical sciences in order to meet the needs of the community and the changing world and to ensure sustainable development. 3

4 OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT Acquire, advance and impart quality knowledge in geographical sciences with emphasis on land use planning, natural resource management, urban and regional planning, tourism and meteorology Carry out theoretical and applied research in all geographical sciences related fields Promote the use of modern tools of geographical analysis, land use planning, natural resource management, urban planning and regional planning, tourism and meteorology. Provide Uganda and the world community at large welleducated, skilled and creative personnel. Reach out and establish networks with Ugandan communities on problem identification and solutions to various geographical related issues. Offer consultancy services to local governments, communities and other interested organizations. 4

5 COURSES OFFERED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDERGRADUATE COURSES Geography as a Subject (BA, BSc, BLIS, BAeduc, etc) Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Bachelor of Environmental Management Bachelor of Tourism POSTGRADUATE COURSES Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Rural Development Planning Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology MASTER OF ARTS (Geography) MASTER OF ARTS (Land Use & Regional Development) PhD Programme (By Research) 5

6 DISASTER COURSE UNITS UNDER GEOGRAPHY SUBJECT Geomorphology Climatology Principles of Natural Resources Management Arid and Semi-Arid Land Management Advanced Climatology Slope and Fluvial Geomorphology Hydrology of Surface and Sub-Surface Waters Highland and Mountain Resource Management Wetland and Water Resource Management Advanced Geomorphology Coastal and Lacustrine Geomorphology Hazard Assessment & Disaster Management Medical Geography 6

7 Hazard Assessment and Disaster Management Course Unit Definition of Hazards and Disasters. Types of Hazards and Disasters (Natural and Human). Causes of hazards and Disasters. Spatial coverage of hazardous and disaster areas Classification of Hazards/Disaster and Hazardous/Disaster areas. Early warnings systems to hazard/disaster occurrence. Response strategies to hazard/disaster warnings. Disaster Management (Government, NGOs, CBOs, Private Sector). Control and Prevention of Hazards/Disasters. Rehabilitation of Disaster Areas (Physical and Human). Policies on disaster management (National and International) HOURS OF THEORY AND 30 HOURS OF FIELDWORK OR PRACTICALS

8 DISASTER COURSE UNITS UNDER ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT COURSE Environmental Geomorphology Environmental Chemistry Environment and Community Health Conservation and Sustainable Development Soil Conservation and Management Environmental Impact Assessment and Standards Waste Management Management of Hazardous Wastes Environmental Extension and Outreach Atmospheric Pollution Control Environmental Disaster Management 8

9 Environmental Disaster Management Course Unit Natural disasters: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms and hurricanes, floods, slope stability and landslides, droughts, epidemics, lightning, locust swarms. Human induced disasters: oil spills, land slides, floods, soil erosion, desertification, fires, etc. Nuclear and chemical accidents. Disaster Assessment Designation of disaster prone areas and vulnerability analysis (tectonic place boundaries, rift valleys, mountains, river valleys and flood plains) Environmental risk assessment and preparedness. Planning of a disaster response: rescue, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. Institutional arrangements for disaster management. 45 HOURS OF THEORY AND 30 HOURS OF FIELDWORK OR PRACTICALS 9

10 COURSES NOT RICH IN DISASTER COURSE UNITS Bachelor of Urban & Regional Planning Bachelor of Tourism All Masters Courses (Research themes) Postgraduate Courses 0

11 RESEARCH THEMES FOR MASTERS STUDENTS Sustainable land uses (Urban and Rural) Decentralized Planning and Service Delivery Urban Transport and Traffic Flow Waste Management Impacts of Climate Change in Mountain Areas Climate Variability and Water Resource Management Rural Development and Food Security Environmental Degradation & Rehabilitation of Fragile areas Disasters/Hazards detection and Management Informality and Provisioning systems in Urban areas

12 IMPORTANT TO NOTE All students in the Department of Geography: Are introduced to Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems Skills important for disaster detection and disaster management Have a either a Field Course, a Research Project or an Internship that they must do before graduation. Must participate in a Community Outreach programme in one way or the other. 2

13 BASIC COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMES Urban Planning - Structure Planning, Detailed Planning and Action Planning Environment Management - Community Action Planning Landslide prone areas Tourism - Community based tourism analyses Meteorology - Farming weather forecasts and consultations 3

14 Other Faculties offering Disaster related Courses Units at Makerere Institute of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty of Technology Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Science Institute of Public Health Makerere Medical School Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 4

15 PROBLEM AREAS The dosage given to students on disaster issues is low. (3/60 credit units in case of Geography and 8/40 credit units in case of environment management) Independent approach to handling of course units, courses and research projects Tendency for being more theoretical in approach (Case study approach not fully integrated in course units) Community outreach levels are still very low Logistical limitations are generally overwhelming 5

16 The Way Forward Multidisplinarity/Interdisciplinarity approach Integration of Disaster risk detection and management issues in all relevant courses Pure Disaster Management Courses/Programmes Short Courses Undergraduate Courses Postgraduate Courses Undertake serious Research Students (Undergraduate, Masters and PhD) Lecturers (Case study development) Research Institutes/Institutions 6

17 The Way Forward..continued Networking Within programmes Between programmes, Between courses in different faculties With different stakeholders Across the borders of the University Strengthen Community outreach Programmes Community extension services Community Sensitization and involvement Community based and targeted short courses Commitment on the part of University and University Staff Networking Addressing logistical issues Planning 7

18 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION 8