IFRCTISSCERTIFICATECOURSEINDISASTER

MANAGEMENT

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 ABOUTTHECOURSE
Sinceitsinceptionin1936,theTataInstituteofSocialSciences(TISS)hasworkedcloselywith
government bodies, academic institutions, NGOs, activist groups, bilateral and multilateral
agencies,themediaandcommunities.TheTISScommunityhasbeeninvolvedindisasterrelated
interventionssince1947,suchasthepostPartitionKurukshetraReliefCamps.
TheInternationalFederationofRedCrossandRedCrescentSocieties(IFRC)istheworlds
largest humanitarian organisation, providing assistance without discrimination to around 30
million people annually. Bringing emergency relief to refugees and victims of poverty and
disastershasbeenakeyactivityoftheInternationalFederationanditsmemberNationalSocieties
formorethan80years.

In2012,theInternationalFederationofRedCrossandCrescentSocieties(IFRC)andtheTata
InstituteofSocialSciences(TISS)pooledtheirwealthofexperienceandexpertisetoestablisha
globalCertificateCourseinDisasterManagement,anchoredatTISSinMumbai.Eightcohorts
haveparticipatedinthecourse,withtheninthcohortinprocessandthetenthcohorthasnow
openedforadmission.
HOWISTHISCOURSEUNIQUE?
Offersbothacademicandpracticalapproaches.
Includesacompulsoryfieldpracticumcomponent.
Exposesparticipantsto newandemergingfocusareasandtechnologies whilebuildinga
solidcontextualbackground.
Aimsatmaximuminclusivitythrough flexibleadmissioncriteria and bursaries forhighly
motivatedanddeservingapplicants.

Anintegratedprogrammegroundedinthevaluesofjustice,equityandsocialinclusion.

WHY DISASTER MANAGEMENT?

Intheyear2011fewernaturaldisasterswereregisteredcomparedtothetheaverageannualdisaster
frequencyfrom2001to2010butallthesedisastersweremarkedbymassivelossinlifeand
infrastructure. A total of 30,773 people were killed and 244.7 million victims were affected
worldwidewitheconomicdamagesestimatedatUS$366.1billionthehighesteverregistered
This showsthatthereisaclearandurgentneedforprofessionallytrained,wellinformedand
sociallycommittedDisasterManagementpersonnelglobally.
Thiscoursecouldequipyoutobepartofthesolution,tobeapartoftheforceworkingina
professional,holistic,humaneandintegratedmannertomitigatetheimpactofdisastersandtobuild
more resilient communities worldwide The online course on Disaster Management attracts
participants from a wide range of professional, academic, cultural and national backgrounds.
Candidatesfromdevelopingcountriesandthoseworkinginthehumanitarianfieldreceivepriority
foradmission.
Courseapplicantshailfromdiversenationsandregions,Theprofessional/academicbackgroundsof

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participants are equally diverse senior humanitarian professionals working with esteemed
organisationssuchasIFRC,UnitedNations,ActionAid,MSFandOxfamparticipateinthecourse
alongwiththosewhosimplyhaveastrongdesiretolearn(more)aboutdisastermanagement,as
well as graduate and postgraduate students, academics and researchers. This rich diversity of
experience, existing knowledge and cultural contexts adds to the course content, helping
participantsarriveatafinelynuancedunderstandingofdisastermanagement.
TheCertificateCourseinDisasterManagementdrawsonthewealthofpracticalexperienceof
internationalhumanitarianagencies,andpairsitwiththeacademicrigourofoneofIndiaspremier
centresofhighereducationandresearch.IteffectivelyconjoinstheStrategicAim1ofIFRCs
Strategy2020tosavelives,protectlivelihoods,andstrengthenrecoveryfromdisastersandcrises
withthecommitmentofTISStotheprovisionofexcellenceinhighereducation.

Asia
Oceania
Africa
America
Europe

Distribution of the participants from across the world from Cohort I to Cohort IX

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 OVERVIEWOFTHECOURSE
TheCertificateCourseinDisasterManagementisaoneyearpostgraduatelevelcertificatecourse
of22credits.Thecourseisdeliveredentirelyonline;participantscanfulfillthecourserequirements
fromthecountrywheretheyarebased.
Asaparticipant,youwillbeintroducedtothemethodologyoftheonlineclassroomandthetools
forcommunicationandinteractions.Youwillalsobeguidedthroughpracticalexercisesandwill
havetheopportunitytoaskquestionsabouttheprocess.
Thiscourseaddressesallstagesofdisastermanagementinacomprehensiveandholisticmanner,
including:
I.Predisasterpreparednessandmitigation
II.Rescueandreliefinthecontextofdisasterand
III.Postdisasterrehabilitation,reconstructionandrecovery.

Eachsessioninacoursewillhavesomecompulsoryreading,illustrativecasestudiesandaudio
visualmaterialfromdiversecontexts.Thekeycomponentsofthecourseare:

Sixcreditmodules:
IntroductiontoDevelopment

HumanitarianPrinciples,LawsandStandardsinDisasterManagement

IntroductiontoHazards,VulnerabilitiesandDisasters

DisasterRiskReductionandDevelopmentPlanning

GeoinformaticsandInformationCommunicationTechnologiesinDisasters.

DisasterResponseandRecovery

Twocompulsorynoncreditcomponents:
LearningtoLearn

TheWorldofRedCross/RedCrescent

Twoadditionalcompulsorycomponents:
AsupervisedandgradedTermPaper

AmonthlongFieldPracticum/Internshipperhapsthemostvitalcomponentofthecourse
whichbringstogetherallthekeytheoreticallearnings

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Assessment:
Assignments,quizzesandmonitoredparticipationindiscussionforums.

Theassessmentmethodforeachcourseiscommunicatedatthestartofthecoursebythetutorand
studentshavetomaintaintheminimumgradeforpassing.

OnlinelearningissignificantlymoretimeconsumingthanIhadanticipated,butitsworthit.Thedepthof
the material weve seenhas been extremely valuable for me in placing the Humanitarian Action into
context Im confident it will help me approach the challenges in the field in a more meaningful and
strategicmanner.AndresCabrera,CothortI,WATSANSpecialist,ColombianRedCross

Nepal Earthquake, April 2015

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 COURSESTRUCTURE
LearningtoLearn(Noncredit):
Anintroductiontothemethodologyofonlineclassroomsandthetoolsforcommunicationand
interactions.Guidedpracticalexercises.Gaininganunderstandingofcoursestructure,methodof
deliveryandassessment.

WorldofRedCrossandRedCrescent(Noncredit)
Introduction totheworldoftheRedCross,its workinthe fieldofdisaster management and
discussionofIFRCsStrategy2020.

Module1:IntroductiontoDevelopment(2Credits)
The key objective of this module is to equip students to examine basic concepts related to
development,includinghumandevelopmentandsustainability,inordertounderstanddisastersand
evolvemeaningfulsustainableresponsestothem.

Module2:HumanitarianPrinciples,LawsandStandardsinDisasterManagement(2Credits)
This module provides a clear understanding of humanitarianism and humanitarian principles
underlyingtheresponsetonaturaldisastersandconflicts.Ithighlightstheneedforaccountability
andtransparencyduringdisasterresponsesthroughvariouspracticalexamplesandillustrations.It
alsolooksatvariousfacetsofapplyinghumanitarianstandardsindisastercontexts.

Module3:IntroductiontoHazards,VulnerabilitiesandDisasters(4Credits)
Thismoduleaimstodevelopaconceptualunderstandingofhazard,exposure,risk,vulnerability
anddisaster.Itexplainshowvulnerability(internalsusceptibilityordefenselessness)andhazard
(anexternalevent)interacttocreatedisastersanddiscussesvariousperspectivesandapproachesto
DisasterRiskandVulnerabilityAssessment.

Module4:DisasterRiskReductionandDevelopmentPlanning(2Credits)
The objective of the module is to develop knowledge and a critical outlook on the different
frameworks, approaches and methods for disaster prevention, preparedness and vulnerability
reduction.

Module5:GeoinformaticsandInformationCommunicationTechnologies inDisasters(2
Credits)

This module introduces students to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Geo
Informatics Technology (GIT) and their use in planning, mitigation, and response in disaster
situations.

Module6:DisasterResponseandRecovery(4Credits)
AbasicintroductiontoconceptsrelatingtoOrganisedResponse;NatureandTypeofImmediate
ResponseDisasterManagementPlans;KeyResponseFunctions,includingPublicHealth,Logistics

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andGovernance;Recovery,RehabilitationandReconstruction;EconomicsandFinancialAspects
ofRecoveryandReconstruction.

Module7:TermPaper(2Credits)
Thetermpaperisaselfstudypaperinwhichtheparticipantisencouragedtoexploretheintricacies
ofaspecifictopicfarbeyondwhatispossibletocoverwithintheunitsineachmodule.Theprocess
ofwritingthetermpaperwillenableparticipantstofindandanalyserelevantinformationand
conveyconclusionsandrecommendationstootherswhetherpeersorthedisastermanagement
community.

Module8:Internship/FieldPracticum(4Credits)
TheInternshiporFieldPracticumintheCertificateProgrammeaimstoenabletheparticipantsto
developabroadernationalandinternationalperspectiveondisastermanagement.Theoverallthrust
willbetofocusonissuebasedworkandcomplexemergenciesforaperiodof4weeks.Thiscould
belinkedtothetermpaper.Itmaybebasedwithorganizationsengagedwithhighqualityresearch
orpracticalworkinthefieldofdisasterriskreduction.ItmayalsobebasedwithanyoftheUN
systems or government structures. The participants would need to engage in ongoing DRR/
Responseprogrammesintheirrespectivelocations.

MethodologyandAssessmentataglance:
ConductedentirelybytheTataInstituteofSocialSciences(TISS)throughMOODLE(Modular
ObjectOrientedLearningEnvironment),anonlineelearningplatform.

Nepal Earthquake, April, 2015

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 COURSEDELIVERY
FACULTYCONTRIBUTORS
Dr. Guru Balamurugan:Assistant Professor, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Professor Janaki Andharia: Dean, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr. K.M. Parivelan: Associate Professor, School of Law Rights and Constitutional
Governance,TISS,Mumbai.

Mr.Mahesh Kamble: Assistant Professor, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr. Mhd. Irshad: Assistant Professor,Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr. P. K.Shajahan: Professor, School of Social Work,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr. Pradheeps Muthulingam: Assistant Professor, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster

Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Ms. Priya Joshi: Assistant Professor, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr. Ramesh Veerappan: Assistant Professor,Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Ms. Saumya Kumar: Assistant Professor, Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr.Shibu Mani: Assistant Professor,Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies,TISS,Mumbai.

Dr.Sohini Sengupta: Associate Professor, School of Social Work,TISS,Mumbai.

Professor T. Jayaraman: Professor, Centre for Science,Technology and Society at the School of
Habitat Studies, TISS,Mumbai.

Dr.VineetKohli:AssistantProfessor,SchoolofDevelopmentStudies,TISS,Mumbai.
IFRCTISSTeam
Dr.JankiAndharia:ProjectDirector,IFRCTISSCertificateCourseinDisasterManagment
Ms.NitiMishra:ProgrammeAssociate,IFRCTISSCertificateCourseinDisasterManagment
Mr.RohitShah:ProgrammeAssociate,IFRCTISSCertificateCourseinDisasterManagment
Ms. Saumya Kumar:Senior Programme Manager, IFRC TISS Certificate Course in Disaster
Managment

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 ADMISSIONDETAILS

TheprogrammetargetsawidevarietyofDMlearnerspractitionersglobally,IFRCandNational
Society volunteers and staff at all levels, and others interested in disaster management and
humanitarianresponse.Upto50qualifiedparticipantswillbeselectedtoparticipateineachcourse.

ENTRYREQUIREMENTS
Second Class Bachelors Degree (minimum) or the overseas equivalent. Applications are
judgedonmeritandexceptionstothisentryrequirementmaybemade.

ApplicantswhodonothaveaBachelorsDegreeortheoverseasequivalentmayapplyifthey
demonstrate (via a personal statement) that they can communicate clearly, are highly
motivated,andhaveexperienceofpriorlearning.

Candidatesfromdevelopingcountriesandthoseworkinginthehumanitarianfieldwillreceive
priority.

BasiccomputerskillsandInternetaccessarerequired.

LANGUAGEOFINSTRUCTION
ThemediumofinstructionisEnglish.Applicantsmusthaveadequateknowledgeofthelanguageto
work with postgraduate level academic texts, discuss complex concepts with other course
participantsandwriteessaysattheappropriatelevel.

ANNUALTIMETABLEANDAPPLICATIONTIMELINE

The course has two admission cohorts in a year (in April and September of each year). The
applicationsfortheAprilcohortbeginsinDecemberofthepreviousyearwhereastheapplications
fortheSeptemberCohortbegininJune/Julyofthesameyear.Eachcohortconcludes12months
fromthestartoftheprogramme.
FEES

ParticipantTypeFees* Amount
IFRCandNationalSocietiesParticipants USD990
TISSAlumni USD990
StandardProgramFee USD1,980

*Feesoncepaidarenonrefundableinanycircumstances,althoughadmissionscanbetransferred
tothenextcohortonlyinexceptionalcaseswiththeapprovaloftheProjectDirector.

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 COHORTXTIMELINE

DATE DETAILS
29-06-2017 Initiation of the Admission Process
27-07-2017 Closing of Bursary Application (23:59hrsIST)(GMT+5.30hrs)
27-08-2017 Application Closed (23:59hrsIST)(GMT+5.30hrs)
01-09-2017 Declaration of Result
25-09-2017 Cohort X commences

SELECTIONPROCESSFORCOHORTX
TISS and IFRC will select upto 50 qualified participants from those who apply, inclusive of
bursaries,toattendthiscourseinCohortX.Theselectedcandidates willbeinformedthrough
email.

BURSARY/SCHOLARSHIP
A limited number of bursaries are on offer to those who demonstrate most need and merit.
Applicants for the bursary should complete the bursary section in the application process and
ensurethattheydemonstratetheneedforthissupportintheirapplication.Theselectionprocess
willbecompletelyonmeritandmeansbasis.ThelastdateforbursaryapplicationforCohortXis
July27,2017(23:59hrsIST)(GMT+5.30hrs).

QUALIFICATIONRECEIVED
SuccessfulcandidateswillreceiveaCertificateinDisasterManagementissuedbytheTataInstitute
ofSocialSciences,India

HOWTOAPPLY
Applicationsmustbesubmittedonlinethroughhttp://ifrc.tiss.edu/
Additionalinquiriescanbeaddressedbyemailtoonli
n edm@tiss.edu

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IFRC TISS Course on Disaster Managment
Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Sion Trombay Road
Deonar, Mumbai: 400 088, India
+91 22-2552 5888 (10:30 to 18:00 IST)

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