Stenden SA first to offer disaster management degree

CANDICE BRADFIELD

STENDEN South Africa will be the first tertiary institution in South Africa to offer a bachelor's degree in disaster management.

They are fully accredited and registered to provide a four year degree that will focus on five key areas including prevention, reductions, relief, resilience and community building. They will also place emphasis on climate change and keeping a green mindset.

Stenden deputy general manager Alroy Taai said disaster management was a neglected field of study.

He said it was it was logical that this should be developed at a hospitality school as there is also a link to tourism, a key industry which is threatened in the event of disaster.

Logistical planning will be one of the main subjects of the degree.

"We want a well rounded student,” he said.

Taai said this was the first South African degree at bachelors level in disaster management, which he believes there is a need and market for.

"The impact on town will be significant. In terms of students we will be able to cast our net a bit wider,” he said.

Stenden will accept its first disaster management students next year.

The institution's focus is on problem based learning. In the fourth year, practical experience makes up the bulk of the curriculum for hospitality students and the same will apply for disaster management students. They will have to work at airports and hospitals to gain relevant experience.

Taai said they are in the process of putting together a board that will regularly review the curriculum to make sure if follows industry standards and trends. As for lecturing posts, Taai said there is a lot of local skill around, for example the First City Regiment.

While they plan to accommodate distance or part time learning at some point, this will not be possible in the beginning.