The target audience and the learning outcomes of a free online course, namely Natural Disasters, offered by McGill University in Canada are most suited and relevant to those involved in relief and rehabilitation work during the recent and worst deluge in Chennai.  It is a coincidence that the course has its start date in January 2016, a few weeks immediately after the worst rain and floods in Chennai.

Besides the defense personnel, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), the deluge in Chennai saw many undergraduate and postgraduate students, young professionals, volunteers, NGOs, etc., supplementing and complementing the relief and rehabilitation work provided by the State and Central Governments.  Volunteers from other Districts within the State of Tamil Nadu and neighboring States were in Chennai for several weeks to offer help and assistance.  We salute every one of them for their hard work in saving lives, moving people to safer places, providing food, shelter, drinking water, clothes, medicine, etc.

As most, if not all, of the volunteers may not have had prior knowledge and/or experience in assisting people during and after the disaster, they would appreciate a learning opportunity to understand the science behind different types of natural disaster.  Besides, the Politicians, City Planners, Disaster Management Officials would appreciate, as well, to learn more about the ability or inability to control and predict these events.  The fact that the course is offered online, people can attend it from anywhere at any time; no fees, no need to be away from work on leave; no clearance is required from seniors or appropriate departments (just in case they are in Government service), etc.

The course being delivered by McGill University speaks very high of its quality due to the fact that (i) it is 24^th ranked in QS World University Rankings 2015/16 (ii) 12 Nobel Prize winners – the highest among Canadian Universities and (iii) 139 Rhodes Scholars – the highest among Canadian Universities. This is offered as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) through edX Provider.

The course starts on January 13, 2016.  It is a 12 weeks course.  No pre requisites are required to attend this course.

According to the course provider:

• The course is aimed at:
  • City Planners who need to know where and where not to site buildings;
  • Politicians who need to make scientifically informed decisions;
  • Emergency management officials who need to understand the nature of a potential disaster and ways to mitigate such an event;
  • Journalists who need to report scientifically accurate information

 

• The learning outcomes of this course are:
  • Explore the ongoing conflict between humans and nature;
  • Discuss the global impact of natural disasters and how they are linked;
  • Explore the scientific principles behind the occurrence of natural disasters

Let us share this among our friends and contacts through our Social networks so that those interested can take advantage of this course. Incidentally, such courses might be repeated; as these courses get filled up fast, those who could not get enrolled for January 2016 course possibly might make it for the subsequent courses.