The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to universities and colleges across the country to offer compulsory courses on 'Disaster Management' to ensure that students are safeguarded against attacks, threats and accidents.
College students will now be taught how to deal with campus shootings, bomb threats, earthquakes, financial emergencies, etc., irrespective of the course they choose. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to universities and colleges across the country to offer compulsory courses on 'Disaster Management' to ensure that students are safeguarded against attacks, threats and accidents.
St. Xavier's college, Ahmedabad, has decided to offer such courses in its foundation programme from the next academic year. Confirming the same, Father Robert Arockiasamy, Principal, St. Xavier's, said, "Since the circular came only recently, we will be able to offer the courses only from the next year. We have decided to offer these courses as part of the foundation programme or soft skills course, as accommodating such courses in any specific subject will be difficult. We also need to create some interest among students to take up the courses. The key challenge will be to motivate them."
Himanshu Pandya, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat University, could not be reached for a comment.
The UGC notification said, "The Govemment of India is giving high priority to make students aware about disaster management in higher educational institutions. Planning for natural disasters and emergencies is something every educational institution must consider. Preparation is the key to saving precious lives or minimise the possible losses, if a disaster strikes. Accordingly, I am directed to request all universities to consider compulsory courses on disaster management which will include bomb threats, earthquakes, explosions, hazardous material spill or release, campus shootings, terrorist incidences, financial emergencies such as sudden health emergency, unexpected loss of income, death in the family or other family emergencies, etc.
SHOCK ABSORBENT
Compulsory course on disaster management will teach students how to deal with:
- Bomb threats
- Earthquakes
- Explosions
- Hazardous material spill/release
- Campus shootings
- Terrorist incidences
- Financial emergencies
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