Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and competences to function as effective Disaster Risk Managers well able to contribute not only to a more resilient and sustainable South African society, but also globally. The qualification will also teach learners analytical and field research skills that may position graduates favourably in terms of labour market demandsin the public sector or to work independently in a sector of choice. The graduate will also be competent and eligible to enrol for study at Master's Level in a cognate field.

Rationale

History has shown that societies sustain both human and financial losses annually due to the impact of natural and anthropogenic hazards. In many instances the losses are of such a magnitude that the event can be labelled "a disaster". The impact disasters have is not evenly distributed around the world; developing countries mostly bear the brunt in terms of suffering and devastation. In order to address this challenge, the United Nations established a ten-year programme to reduce the risk of disaster in 2005 and launched the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

A growing number of governments and international organizations acknowledge the necessity of increasing their efforts in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in order to develop safe and sustainable societies. Although funding has become increasingly available, there is still a severe shortage of qualified human resources in the field of risk management. There is a critical need for educated individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to grasp the complexity of risk reduction and adaptation and addressing related trans-disciplinary challenges to enhance safety and sustainability, as well as to facilitate the capacity development of others to do so.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management (with an additional focus on climate change adaptation) will contribute to alleviating the scarcity of qualified and professional human resources. This qualification is focused on providing learners with comprehensive knowledge as well as pragmatic skills and abilities in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and capacity development, in order for them to be able to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable society.

This qualification will provide employees for a wide range of employment opportunities within the private and public sectors. The Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management will meet the needs of workersin the United Nations system, national governments, non-governmental organisations, national and international emergency agencies, relief organisations, and private companies. There is a growing market for consultancy services within this field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Eligibility for RPL at the university is outlined in the institutional RPL policy document. The following stipulations in the RPL document are relevant to this qualification:

• Candidates who have exited formal education at a time in their education careers but have since accumulated experience through short courses or other training opportunities may seek recognition for some modules or for admission.
• The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in a formal setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge must comply with all the requirements as stated in learning modules and learning programmes and qualifications. The difference is the route to the assessment. RPL assessment takes a holistic view of the process of assessment where the context of the learning as well as the context of the person who is being assessed is taken into account.

Entry Requirements

A candidate is eligible to apply for admission to the PGDip (Disaster Risk Management) when

• He/she has completed a relevant first Bachelor's Degree at Level 7 or a qualification deemed as equivalent.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management consists of compulsory modules of 16 Credits each at Level 8 totalling 144 Credits.

Modules

• Disaster Risk Studies and Climate Change Adaptation.
• Research Project.
• Hazards.
• Disaster Risk Assessment.
• Research Methodology.
• Urban Disaster Risk.
• Preparedness and Response.
• Planning and Project Management.
• Exposure, Vulnerability and Resilience.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and critical understanding of, as well as engagement with, different theories and principles applicable in the field of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, and apply such knowledge and understanding to critically analyse and evaluate global and local studies in this area.
2. Critically interrogate multiple sources of knowledge, especially published journal articles on studies within the field of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, and critically review and evaluate the methods of research as well as the results and recommendations produced by such research.
3. A range of different but appropriate disaster risk management skills and scientific methods of enquiry to investigate, reflect on and address complex or abstract problems regarding, amongst others, exposure, vulnerability, hazards and resilience, are selected, evaluated and applied, thereby contributing to positive change within practice.
4. Engage with and address ethical issues pertaining to the academic environment, disaster risk management practice and society to effect change in conduct and adaptation where necessary.
5. An accurate, coherent, appropriate and creative presentation and communication of innovative and new professional ideas, methods and research findings to policymakers, practitioners, other role players and academics within the field of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation with understanding of and respect for intellectual property conventions, copyright and rules on plagiarism is produced.
6. Work effectively as part of a team to solve discipline-related problems and to take responsibility for task-specific outcomes and appropriate use of relevant resources.
7. Apply, in a self-critical manner, appropriate learning strategies to effectively address professional and lifelong learning.

Associated Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of different theories and principles of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
• Engage in discussions and present selected theories and practices to others.
• Critique presentations made by others according to a set of criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Adequately conduct independent literature research by utilising electronic and non-electronic means to identify, assess and obtain the necessary and correct sources

Assess various academic sources through

> Applying critical reading.

> Identifying relevant material.

> Reviewing sources to determine their applicability to disaster risk management and climate change.

> Utilising sources to compile written assignments.

> Conducting literature reviews, showing logical reasoning and deduction.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate appropriate disaster risk management skills in order to identify various hazards, assess vulnerability and determine exposure levels.
• Apply various qualitative and quantitative scientific methods of enquiry to identified problems.
• Effect change in communities at risk by correctly identifying problems and suggesting corrective disaster risk management and climate change adaptation courses of actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain ethical and unethical behaviour within the academic setting.
• Assess and explain own research proposal in terms of ethical issues and ethical research conduct.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical conduct when working in communities and at-risk groups for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate in formal and non-formal settings (such as colloquia, seminars, the classroom, and field excursions).
• Compile various types of communication materials (such as research reports, presentations, policy briefs, and marketing material) to communicate specific disaster risk and climate change issues to various audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability ethically to utilise academic sources and other material under intellectual property rights protection.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Work effectively as a team by engaging in group work (within and outside the classroom setting).
• Conduct peer assessments of fellow learners to determine and demonstrate their ability to work in groups.
• Plan and execute a disaster risk management and climate change adaptation project.
• Assess own progress in project implementation by measuring it against predetermined performance indicators.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate the ability to judge own learning critically by keeping learning journals and periodically reflecting on these.
• Identify areas in which more knowledge for effective strategy development and problem solving are needed.

Integrated Assessment

Opportunities for both continuous formative and summative assessments are imbedded in the learning design of the Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management throughout the year of study, in the form of written and practical assignments, portfolios and practical assessments and written and practical examinations. Students are assessed on the application of learned skills in order to assure that theory evolves into effective practice. A number of outcomes are assessed in an integrated manner by means of a research project in the second semester of the qualification, wherein not only the student's evidence of the mastering of discipline-specific knowledge and skills are assessed, but also his/her writing and communication skills, computer literacy and ability to critically analyze and effectively evaluate a work-place related problem. Report-writing is an important aspect of such an assessment.