Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide practitioners, or those who may have future management responsibilities in the field of study, training in a holistic approach towards disaster management to enable them to manage all kinds of disasters by implementing proactive disaster management strategies in terms of relevant legislation, policies and directives, and effectively co-ordinate relief and recovery programmes.

Rationale

The qualification is for graduates that have a theoretical and practical experience in disaster management. These learners will be able to apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods in the field of study. They will be equipped with the required skills and expertise to contribute to the expansion of the disaster management sector in general. In addition, this qualification prepares learners for further Postgraduate study. Learners will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in this field of study that will provide opportunities for continued Postgraduate activities as well as preparing them for a professional career. Many learners enrolling in this qualification are from the African continent where a general lack of efficient research based support exits to support and develop disaster management programmes.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree at at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.

Or

• A relevant Advanced Diploma NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory at at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits:

• Management of Natural and Human-made Disasters, 16 Credits.
• Public Health, 15 Credits.
• Information Technology in Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
• Disaster Management Principles and Practice, 15 Credits.
• Disaster Risk Management, 15 Credits.
• Hazards and Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
• Strategic Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 15 Credits.

1. Apply a holistic, integrated approach when solving problems in relation to disaster management.
2. Conduct and evaluate assessment in relation to disaster management processes.
3. Identify, interpret, engage and apply the theory and applied knowledge to suit assessment tools, procedures and methods.
4. Make informed decisions, guided by ethical standards, scientific evidence and societal needs within the context of disaster management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Engage, integrate, and apply theoretical and practical concepts and principles.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification consists of eight compulsory modules and a field visit in one of the modules. The qualification requires practical assignments to be completed by learners and submitted at predetermined dates. Assignments will be marked and graded by the lecturers, who will give learners feedback in a written format and also orally during contact sessions. Assignments will be part of a continual evaluation process. Apart from the assignments, a formal examination evaluation (written) will take place at the end of each semester. Learners are required to submit assignment as well as participating in a field excursion. In addition, learners have to write a final examination for each module.