Ministry of Interior Delegation Visits GU-Q to Discuss Master’s program
A high-ranking delegation from the Qatari Ministry of Interior recently paid a visit to Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) to familiarize themselves with a newly developed degree. The Executive Master’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management was designed for the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and is offered by Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies.
Headed by Director of Human Resources, Brigadier General Hassan Hussein Al-Jaber, and Brigadier General Hamad Al Duheimi of the permanent emergency committee, the delegation was welcomed by GU-Q Dean Dr. James Reardon-Anderson and other senior members.
The meeting included a presentation in Arabic about the University, its history, and the various fields of academic studies and research offered, including executive and professional education programs. The presentation focused primarily on the Emergency and Disaster Management degree, and a video showing the U.S version of the program was screened to provide background information. A session of questions and answers followed, where members of the delegation sought further information or clarification on the course content and the enrollment requirements.
The new executive master’s degree program is designed to meet the needs of emergency and disaster management professionals in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and has been endorsed by the GCC Emergency Management Center. The degree is the first of its kind in the region, and specifically caters to the unique challenges, natural disasters, and potential man-made and environmental emergencies that may affect Gulf countries.
Through a mix of learning methods, including a series of on-site intensives in Doha and Washington, D.C., the degree will develop the students’ strategic understanding of emergency and disaster management. The coursework includes critical thinking exercises, hands-on practice, and engagement with some of the world’s top industry experts and organizations.
During the 15 month-long course, participants will learn how to prepare for and respond to natural and technological hazards and disasters, man-made threats, public health risks and humanitarian crises. Students will be equipped to deal with a range of issues, from cyber-attacks to infectious disease outbreaks, while working effectively under pressure and with partners in neighboring GCC countries.
The technical, legal, and ethical aspects of emergency and disaster management will also be discussed, and students will be challenged to examine current systems and suggest innovative alternatives to better prepare for future threats.
The meeting facilitated the discussion of opportunities for academic cooperation between Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies and the Ministry of Interior.