The Department of Geography, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) held a one-day seminar on 'Disaster Risk Management'. The seminar, held at Abdul Qayyum Hall, was one of the series of seminars being held at the University.
Large number of teachers and students of the department of Geography and other departments of the university attended. Professors and doctors, including Dr Amir Nawaz Khan, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Ihsanullah Khattak and officials of Erra gave presentations on disaster risk management. Christian Muller, Principal Adviser, GTZ, also attended while Professor Mahmood-ul-Hassan, Chairman, Department of Geography presided over the event.
In his opening remarks, Professor Mahmood appreciated the initiative and said that introduction of Disaster Management Studies and establishment of Disaster Management Centre would be a step of encouragement for the continuation of the ongoing research in the field.
Professor Amir Nawaz Khan spoke of the basic concept of disaster management and hazards. He elaborated the words of 'hazard' and 'disaster' through different definitions and their interaction with humans, and their classification into a various modes and categories.
Dr Atta-ur-Rehman of Urban and Regional Planning Department of the University spoke of the different forms of disasters occurring in the shape of drought, landslide, snowfall, flood and earthquake. Dr Ihansullah Khattak gave presentation on application of GIS and RS in disaster risk management.
The University of Peshawar has developed a comprehensive concept for disaster management studies and for the establishment of a disaster management centre. To strengthen the process, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Disaster Preparedness and Management Project (DPMP) supported by the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) for technical assistance.
A general two-day-seminar on disaster preparedness and management for university staff and students was held on February 5-6 2008. Presently, a series of day seminars has been prepared by a large number of departments with each time another department in the lead to focus on disaster management from a different perspective.
In the course of 2008, it is envisaged to establish an initial disaster management centre and from September/October onwards an interdisciplinary diploma course on disaster management, based also on the outcomes and discussions of the present day seminars would be started. Building on these experiences a Masters Degree may be developed later on.
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