CENTRE FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (CDRMDS)

 

INTRODUCTION                        

 The Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies is a collaborating unit of the University of Port Harcourt and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The Centre was established consequent on the memorandum of understanding signed on the 12th November, 2009 between the National Emergency Management Agency and the University of Port Harcourt.


The mandate of the Centre, among others includes the following:

  • Provide a professional Centre of postgraduate Diploma and Master of Science Programmes on Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies

  • Assist NEMA in training and research in the areas of disaster risk management and development.

  • Establish baseline information for Disaster Risk Management and Development.

  • Work with NEMA to develop research and training programmes to cover the broad spectrum of activities in the Disaster Risk Management Cycle.

 

GOAL

The CDRMDS’ major goal is institutional capacity development in the South-South region of Nigeria with focus on working with decision makers, national and international organisations to achieve the following:  First, expand and strengthen institutional technical capabilities; second, develop and implement information and decision support systems; third, enhance training in risk and vulnerability assessment tools and procedure, and fourth, enhance institutional access to data and information holdings.

 

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy underlying CDRMDS Uniport is essentially the need to provide broad core disaster risk management and development education that bridges the gap between theory and practice, and to enhance students’ knowledge base, concrete decision-making and critical problem-solving skills.

 

VISION
The vision of CDRMDS is to become a Centre of excellence and a leading disaster risk management and development mainstreaming Centre.

 

MISSION

  • The Centre will provide and facilitate education, training and research in civil operations particularly operations that require international disaster management, development studies and humanitarian assistance and operations.
  • The Centre will be used to provide and facilitate education, training, interagency coordination, and research.
  • Meet requirements for information in connection with regional and global disasters, including the use of advanced communications technology and a virtual library using a fully functional interactive website.
  • The Centre will develop a repository of disaster risk indicators and baseline for the South-South region of Nigeria.
  • The Centre shall perform such other missions as the Director of NEMA and the University may specify.

 

VALUES OF CDRMDS

The main function of CDRMDS is to train high-level manpower for disaster management and humanitarian assistance in response to disaster.

Recognise that effective disaster management depends upon the consistent coordination and integration of the work of many agencies, organization and individuals.

Beliefs that community that is well prepared for hazards of all kinds will survive and recover quickly from disaster.

Accepts that flexibility and adaptability of approach must be the basis of the delivery of disaster management services.

 

CDRMDS COMMITMENTS

In the pursuit for the culture of excellence in sustained learning, leadership, internationalism, professionalism, advancement and propagation of knowledge in the disaster management industry, for sustainable development, CDRMDS is committed to its stakeholders: industry, students, faculty and government.

 

 OBJECTIVES

The basic goal of CDRMDS is to reinforce local, regional and national disaster reduction efforts through making available well-trained disaster risk management and development studies mainstreaming experts.

  • Prevent disasters through adequate planning.
  • Reduce human and economic losses from hazard impacts.
  • Minimize human suffering from Natural and Manmade hazards.
  • Provide adequate plan

 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF CDRMDS

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MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND INNOVATIONS

·   The Centre has a well-structured and robust programme on disaster risk management and development studies.

·   The first set of M.Sc students are currently working on their theses.

·   A ten million Naira worth of teaching and monitoring equipment as well as a Toyota Hillux Pick-up were purchased to boost the programme.

·   The Centre participated in all NEMA initiated workshops and conferences:

 

  • World Bank/ Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery Training Workshop on Post-Disaster Damage, Loss and Needs   Framework of Nigeria, 2nd June, 2011, Abuja.
  • United Nations Platform for space-Based Information for Disaster Management & Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) Technical Advisory Mission to Nigerian, 13th – 17th June, 2011, Abuja.
  • Regional Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in the South-South Region of Nigeria, 19th -21st July, 2011, Asaba, Delta State.
  • Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery training course on “Post-Disaster Damage, Loss and Needs Assessment”, Kaduna, March 6-11, 2011.
  • Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 8-13 May, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Also participated in the signing ceremony of the ‘National Disaster Management Framework’ on 2nd June, 2011 at Transcop Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

 

PROFESSIONAL MASTER (M.SC) DEGREE IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Objectives of the Programme

The main aim of the programme is to provide a holistic academic approach to intended participants to understand Disaster Risk Management and Development issues.  The course seeks to provide participants with opportunities for improving their understanding of:

  • Vulnerability analysis and patterns.
  • Conceptual approaches to vulnerability across ecological and social dimensions/perspectives.
  • Risk assessment application.
  • Risk reduction strategies and challenges for Nigeria.
  • Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development issues.

 

Duration of Programme

The professional M.Sc. in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies shall last normally for three (3) Semester and a maximum of six (6) semesters for full time studies and a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of eight (8) semesters for part-time students.

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the professional M.Sc Degree programme in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies is open to holders of:

  • good honours’ bachelor degrees in Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, Social Medicine, Environmental Sciences, Town Planning, Agriculture, Forestry, Communication and Information Technology of not less than 3.00 point on a five (5) point scale of the University of Port Harcourt, or other institution recognized by senate.
  • HND with at least upper credit in a related discipline plus a minimum credit level pass (CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.00 scale) from the University of Port Harcourt or other institutions recognized by senate.

(N/B:  Work experience in scientific, management and policy-oriented departments (especially disaster risk management related organizations) of government and private sector will be added advantage).


Please download Our Course Structure and Description (MS-DOC)

CONTACT

Director: Prof. S. B. Arokoyu
Centre For Disaster Risk Management & Development Studies
University of Port Harcourt,P.M.B.5323,Choba,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Phone: +2348033412733
EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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