The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, Government of Bangladesh and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) jointly launched a 12-week short course/post graduate diploma course on "Leadership and Disaster Management" for capacity building and professional skill development of the Ministry as well as the key implementing officials of disaster management. The programme is being implemented with financial support from the UNDP, DFID and European Commission.

In the inauguration ceremony of the training programme, the Chief Guest Towhid Samad, Chairman, ESTCDT and well-known entrepreneur, special guest Ian Rector, Chief Technical Adviser, CDMP. IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury. Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Omar Rahman. Prof. Haroun Er Rashid. Director, School of Environmental Science and Management and Team Leader and JUB faculty Ms. Dil Rowshan spoke on the importance of the course.

Ian Rector said that Bangladesh would need to develop disaster management capacity further and appreciated IUB's offer of the training course. Towhid Samad expressed satisfaction that IUB, a private sector university, had been chosen for conducting the course. Prof. Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury thanked the Bangladesh Government in reposing confidence on JUB's ability and stated that they would always come forward to train human resources. Prof. Haroun Er Rashid and Prof. Omar Rahman made some opening remarks. while Ms. Oil Rowshan, gave the vote of thanks.

Under this programme, 20 officials from various line ministries of the Government will join leadership and team building, human resource management for disaster, disaster organisation & systems management, and disaster management development imperative courses to be taught by the senior faculty of the School of Environmental Science & Management and the School of Business of IUB.

This course aims at developing a group of highly skilled officials who will provide leadership in the field of disaster management in the coming days and prepare the country to fade the challenges of global warming, climate change and sea level rise.