VARSITIES TO OFFER COURSES ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT

NEW DELHI: Soon, campus shootings, bomb threats, terrorist incidents and managing flood situations will be among the subjects to be taught in colleges across the country.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all universities asking them to start courses on disaster management and financial emergencies.

Every university in the country will be required to offer these courses, according to the commission’s letter.

“The government is giving high priority to making students aware of disaster management in higher educational institutions. Planning for natural disasters and emergencies is something every educational institution must consider. Preparation is the key to saving precious lives or minimise possible losses if a disaster strikes,” reads the letter.

“Educational administrators across the country have also requested course material to ensure that students are safeguarded against attacks, threats and accidents. Accordingly, I am directed to request all universities to consider compulsory courses on disaster management for all students,” the letter further states.

These courses must cover topics such as bomb threats, earthquakes, explosions, hazardous material spills/release, campus shootings, terrorist incidents. They must also cover financial emergencies such as a sudden health emergencies, unexpected loss of income, deaths, risk of eviction and damages from natural disasters.

Vice-chancellors of all universities have been asked to issue instructions to all affiliated colleges to include this course in their curriculum in the next academic year.

This is not the first time the Commission has focused on student safety. It had notified guidelines on “Safety of Students on and off Campuses of Higher Educational Institutions” in 2015.