Graduates of the International Executive Master’s in Emergency & Disaster Management Prepare to Improve Planning, Response, and Resilience

Guests from across Qatar and the world gathered at Georgetown University in Qatar on Thursday night to celebrate the achievements of the second cohort of the International Executive Master’s in Emergency & Disaster Management (IEDM) degree program. This year’s IEDM cohort represents a wide variety of sectors and professionals from across Qatar and other nations, from ministerial officials to medical directors to army and police professionals, as well as crisis communicators, and IT and telecom specialists. They share a driving desire to ensure the safety and security of their nations and their people in times of crisis.

Keynote Speaker H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Thani, Advisor, Amiri Diwan noted “Today we celebrate the academic achievement of these outstanding graduates of Georgetown University, in the critical field of emergency and disaster management, which is essential to the security of Qatar and societies worldwide.  I am confident the graduates will play a leading role as stewards of our collective safety, whether in government, the private sector, or nonprofit organizations.”

The 24 graduating students presented their capstone projects in a gallery walk prior to the graduation ceremony.  The projects showcased the students’ in-depth research and analysis on improving emergency preparedness in Qatar and around the world in areas such as the national emergency health system, the use of car parks as emergency shelters, enhancing the chemical hazards framework on construction sites, and food security.

Kelly Otter, Dean of the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, which administers the program, also spoke to the gathering. “Our graduating students join a powerful network of Georgetown alumni who are excelling in their organizations. As communities across the globe entrust their public safety to these graduates, we have every confidence in their abilities,” she said.

Several students were singled out for academic excellence and contributions to the community.  Farukh Mohammad Azad, manager of Digital Transformation at Ooredoo, received the IEDM Ambassador Award and Dr. Salih Al Marri, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health, received the Outstanding Community Engagement Award. Dr. Hassan Al-Thani, Head of Trauma and Vascular Surgery Sections at Hamad Medical Corporation, was selected for the Outstanding Capstone Impact Award for his project on “Crisis Surge Capacity and Mitigation Plan Based on Real-Time Trauma Registry Data.”

Welcoming its third cohort in September 2019, the IEDM program helps the next generation of global leaders prepare for and respond to a wide variety of natural, technological, and man-made disasters. The 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.