Start your studies with a specialization in Geomatics for Disaster Risk Reduction at:

Universiti Utara Malaysia		Universiti Sains Malaysia		National University of Battambang (Cambodia)		Svay Rieng University (Cambodia)		University of the Cordilleras (Philippines)		Xavier University (Philippines)

Project Overview

The project geoDRR - Geomatics for Disaster Risk Reduction is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. It has a key objective to support Partner Country HEIs in building their capacity to develop and deliver high quality and specialisation academic programmes that can suitably prepare young scientists and professionals to provide applicable solutions to various societal problems, focusing on these resulting from climate change, mainly disaster risk vulnerability and susceptibility.

As already established, climate change impacts on both the frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters, while reduces resilience that can increase vulnerability in all kinds of natural hazards. Reducing disaster risk can, thus, contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation, especially in countries of the South-east Asia which are already among the most vulnerable, globally, to climate change.

Objectives

The Project foresees to address specific aspects related to the overall aim, via compartmentalizing the general pursuance into smaller, more achievable objectives:

• Build the capacity of academic, administrative, and technical staff of Partner Country HEIs in developing and efficiently delivering an MSc in “Geomatics for Disaster Risk Reduction”,
  
• Help the new generation of scientists will be able to assess vulnerability and risk with the use of geomatics, as well as contribute in building resilient communities by detailed planning and mapping of disaster risk, potential impact, and appropriate mitigation and relief actions
  
• Raise awareness in local communities and mobilize authorities to act on disaster risk reduction through structured, participatory policies that address prevention
  
• Develop links between academia and the labour market, especially by adequately equipping future professionals with all the necessary skills to thrive under constantly changing circumstances.
  

Activities

The development of the MSc Curriculum during the geoDRR project will be preceded by a brief preparation phase, during which all Partner Country HEIs will work on the identification of:

• a. academic needs of staff and students,
• b. specifications of the Laboratories,
• c. requirements for the official accreditation of the MSc.

On the one hand, Partner Country HEIs will develop the MSc Curriculum and Syllabus and conclude all the necessary actions for the establishment of the Laboratories in their premises, while on the other hand, Programme Country partners will develop and launch the Virtual “GIS for DRR” Learning Environment (VLE) and elaborate its content for staff and students. The Curriculum will comprise of twelve courses plus an MSc thesis, corresponding to 120 ECTS.

Later during the project, the capacity building activities for Partner Country HEIs’ academic, administrative, and technical staff will be realized. The activities will include:

• a. three Educational Study Visits to Programme Country HEIs facilities to get acquainted with theoretical and practical aspects of teaching geomatics and be introduced to teaching methods and tools that correspond to the needs of the new generation of scientists,
• b. three trainings in Partner Country HEIs by Programme Country HEIs that will include, among others, hands-on training on the newly established Laboratories, theoretical training on topics covered by the MSc, and familiarization with the use of digital tools.

The last part of the development phase comprises the accreditation, delivery and interim evaluation of the MSc in Partner Country HEIs.