Port Alfred: Disaster management degree a world first

STUDENTS from all over the world are counting the days until the Port Alfred launch of a unique four-year university degree in disaster management.

After almost two years of meticulous planning, Stenden University – which boasts campuses throughout the world – will officially offer a Bachelor of Business Administration degree specialising in disaster relief management from the beginning of next year.

Deputy general manager Alroy Taai yesterday said extensive global research indicated the specialist, four-year disaster relief management degree was a world first.

“We are very excited that a concept developed in Port Alfred has been approved by the [South African] Council for Higher Education [CHE].”

Taai said they had to meet strict CHE rules and guidelines before the course was officially approved.

“Our research has indicated that we will be the only institution in the world to offer a full, four-year degree in disaster management.”

According to Taai, news of the disaster management degree is spreading like wildfire and they have already received queries from all over the world to study in Port Alfred from next year.

“People are very keen to come here and do the four year course.”

From humble beginnings in South Africa 10 years ago, Stenden – which has a reputation as one of the best places on the African continent to study the hospitality industry – now has almost 300 students from all over the world studying at their Port Alfred campus.

Although Stenden – like other campuses around the world – has always offered a 20-week module in humanitarian management, they have never had a specialised four-year degree dealing with natural disasters.

Taai said although disasters frequently occurred in third world southern hemisphere countries the irony was that efforts to cope with natural calamities were largely co-ordinated and run by experts from wealthy northern hemisphere countries.

“It is very important that an institution in the southern hemisphere takes up this challenge.”

With campuses in Bali and South Africa – both areas that are frequently hit by natural disasters like tsunamis and flooding – Taai said it was hoped that students from these areas would take their expertise back into the community to try and make a difference.

Although students at their Dutch, Qatari and Thai campuses have over the years been involved with relief efforts in places like Sudan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, their work has not been part of an extensive disaster management degree.

Since its launch in South Africa, Stenden has earned a reputation in Port Alfred as an institution that goes the extra mile to help disadvantaged communities overcome daily challenges.

Taai said the irony of disasters was that the poor and marginalised were often the hardest hit.

“We want to be proactive by helping identify and prevent potential natural disasters long before they happen.”

He said it was hoped that some students who did the new degree would go off and work in local municipalities to help them better cope with natural disasters.

According to Taai, government, non-governmental organisations, agriculture, the insurance industry and other players had given the degree two thumbs up.

- DispatchOnline