Disaster management course remains non-starter in colleges

Visakhapatnam: Even there have been number natural disasters registering almost every year in the state, the HRD Ministry and Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education has not geared up to prepare the young force to take up rescue operations in the emergencies.

Though the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed the universities to introduce disaster management course as compulsory for all degree and PG students, the government is not taking any steps in the higher educational institutions.

After the massive floods in Kerala and floods in Krishna, East and West Godavari districts in the state, the introduction of the disaster management course in the higher education institutions again becoming topic for discussion.

Even in the AP which is having second longest coastline in the country and which is prone to more number of disasters, especially in the monsoon seasons, the government is not taking steps to prepare trained youth force to attend at the emergencies.

The UGC directed the universities saying that the course will help students learn about the management of crises such as bomb threats, earthquakes, explosions, floods and other emergency situations. Even after one and half years, the government and APSCHE is not insisting the universities start the courses so far.

According to the UGC directions, the universities should also instruct their affiliated colleges for the inclusion of the course in the curriculum. Relief measures are important to save precious lives or minimise the losses from the disasters. In fact, there is such a special wing in Nagarjuna University earlier. However, after the faculty superannuated, the university is not conducting the course.

Meanwhile, the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam introduced 6-months certificate course in disaster management for defence personnel, but not to the general students.

“According to UGC directions, the universities should introduce similar course as the general course. We are also chalking out plans to extend the course to all the students. We are on the job and consulting the experts to train the students to attend the emergencies. The practical training is also very important in the course,” a senior official of Andhra University told The Hans India.

There are some issues which have to be finalilsed to introduce the course including the appointment of the trained and experts to teach the subject, said the senior professor. In fact, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also focussed on the issue after the HudHud cyclone disaster in the state and held discussions on the issue, he added.

"The APSCHE will look into the issue and take necessary steps to introduce the course in all the higher educational institutions. In fact, Nagarjuna University is having a special wing on the course. However, after the faculty of the department retired, the course was temporarily stopped,’’ said Chairman of APSCHE Prof.S Vijaya Raju.