Georgetown Hosts Doha Info Session for Emergency & Disaster Management Master’s Degree

Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies hosted an information session in Doha for professionals interested in its International Executive Master’s in Emergency & Disaster Management (IEDM) program. The event, which was held on Wednesday, March 28 at the Hilton Doha Hotel, provided an overview of the program and allowed future students to find out more about the application process.

The IEDM is a unique one year master’s degree that aims to enable the next generation of emergency and disaster management professionals to face the challenges of a global future. Through a combination of online learning and on-site residencies in Amman, Doha, Muscat, Paris, and Washington, D.C., the program equips students to lead in the face of a diverse range of natural and manmade events. Students tackle topics such as public health and humanitarian crises, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and coordinating preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across international borders.

Current student Mansoor Al-Khater, chief strategy officer at Ooredoo Group, decided to enroll in the IEDM degree because he wanted to understand the root causes of threats and how to respond from an academic perspective. “Being aware of the global and regional situation, I used to ask myself, ‘What if this happens in my country?’” said Al-Khater. “The current Qatar blockade began after I committed to the program… it convinced me to believe in my instincts of gaining knowledge on preparedness and agility.”

“Emergency and disaster management is an area that is facing neglect within most organizations. People think that when a crisis happens, they will respond according to the situation,” said Al-Khater. “However, this is a discipline which needs lot of planning and preparation—not only at a workplace, but also as a part of every school curriculum so our younger generation is aware of crisis and how to respond. I would encourage my colleagues working with government or private organizations to join this program.”

“This program has specific and very interesting elements,” explained current student Tuskheer Abid, associate director of building operations, safety, and security at Georgetown University in Qatar. “You have the theory—which is good—but you’re also going into the field and meeting with the professionals who are doing the work on the ground and who have experienced major emergencies. There is no counter to that sort of knowledge.”

Abid offers his thoughts to those currently working in the industry who are considering the degree: “Whether you want to gain knowledge, whether you want to improve your career, there is no alternative to academic excellence. Yes, there are certifications, there are short courses, but when you talk about a degree… it’s always a big achievement. Moreover, there’s no compromise on your job—you’re still earning and you’re getting your degree as well.”

The final application deadline for the IEDM degree is May 1, 2018 and classes begin in the fall. Interested applicants can learn more on the website: https://scs.georgetown.edu/iedm.