Emergency and Disaster Management Graduates Spotlight the Need for EDM Education

In a year that has put the spotlight on the critical role of emergency management professionals, 15 students in Georgetown’s International Executive Master’s in Emergency & Disaster Management (IEDM) degree program were recognized at a virtual closing ceremony.

The IEDM degree, which is offered through Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) in Washington, DC, and supported by QF partner Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), is designed to shape the next generation of leaders in the private sector, government, and nonprofit organizations by teaching them preparedness principles and ways to mitigate potential threats and manage response and recovery efforts internationally.

The opening remarks of the virtual ceremony were delivered by Dr. Kelly Otter, dean of SCS, who welcomed the students into a global community of IEDM graduates working to keep their communities safe and secure. 

“The Emergency & Disaster Management program stands alone in its charge among our professional graduate programs: to prepare leaders to plan for, manage, and respond to today’s increasingly complex disasters,” said Dean Otter. “Your resilience and problem-solving skills will serve you well in the emergency and disaster management field, and especially during these truly unprecedented times.”

In his congratulatory remarks, the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Ahmad Dallal, stressed the importance of emergency and disaster management skills for national security and to ensure a rapid global recovery from catastrophic events. “With your degree in this field from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, supported by a dedicated team of expert instructors, you are well placed to provide the needed expertise to help the world forge a path to recovery, and prepare for an uncertain future.”

In a virtual gallery walk streamed online prior to the graduation ceremony, students presented their capstone projects focused on critical issues affecting communities in Qatar and around the world. Topics included the use of safety and security technologies in mitigating disasters at mega sporting events such as the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar, best practices in the humanitarian and assistance sector, and improving Qatar’s adaptation strategies related to climate change. 

Program participant Ali Mohammed Al-Hammadi presented a capstone project focused on public attitudes towards contact tracing apps in Qatar. “A perfect example that illustrates the importance of having disaster management skills at this time is COVID,” he said. “The world is already facing multiple hazards and disasters, even before COVID, and we have to be prepared for the next one.”

Mr. Al-Hammadi said that his decision to pursue an IEDM degree through Georgetown was driven by his role as a Captain in the Ministry of Interior Qatar and Wide Area Network Officer in the ministry’s Telecommunication Department. “Due to the nature of my work, disaster planning and management are very critical for our business continuity. I truly believe that it is essential to fully acquire these skills to ensure that we have a fully prepared work environment for any unexpected incidents.”

The virtual closing ceremony was streamed on the IEDM Facebook page, and will continue to be available for online viewing. Welcoming its fifth cohort in September 2021, the IEDM program offers a blend of virtual learning and five on-site international residencies in five different countries that provide critical hands-on experience and engagement opportunities with leading experts in the field.