Young graduates from flood-hit regions in the State will soon have a chance to receive professional training in building effective community resilience for the future.
The School of Disaster Studies and Centre for Livelihood and Social Innovation at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, has offered a Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Disaster and Livelihood Recovery as its disaster response to the devastating floods that hit the State.
“The programme will enable young graduates from disaster-hit communities with appropriate inputs to be able to examine, conceptualise, and deliver on livelihood and social entrepreneurship initiatives among disaster-affected people,” said Jacquleen Joseph, professor, School of Disaster Studies, TISS, and coordinator of the programme.
Shortage of professionals
Maintaining that there was a dearth of trained professionals in the area, Prof. Joseph pointed out that the programme would eqiup young graduates from flood-hit communities to make key recovery interventions that are comprehensive and context-specific.
“The diploma programme was conceived in response to the identified gaps in the sector following the massive earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015. The key components of disaster recovery include economic, housing and livelihood recovery among others,” she said.
The one-year programme consists of two months of course work and 20 weeks of internship. The programme offers interdisciplinary courses drawing from disaster management, livelihood and social entrepreneurship, social innovation and action, and management.
Areas of learning
Some possible areas of learning include disasters, vulnerability, risk and recovery, livelihood uncertainties, promotion, transformation and adaptation, social innovation, business plan development, and project management in the disaster context.
The programme is a blend of theory, application, and field-based courses.
TISS plans to partner with local, national and international organisations and institutions with expertise in the livelihood sector as part of offering the programme in the State.
The intake for the course is 20. Needy and meritorious candidates from disaster-affected communities will get fellowship.
The applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in Arts / Commerce / Medicine / Law / Nursing / Sciences / Engineering with a minimum of 50% marks. Candidates from disaster-affected communities or those affiliated to organisations working for disaster-affected communities will get preference.