Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), one of the partner universities of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), celebrated the sixth cohort of graduates of the International Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management (IEDM) degree program, in the presence of HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi.
The IEDM program is offered by Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) in Washington, DC, in collaboration with GU-Q’s Office of Executive and Professional Education.
The sixth cohort of graduates, comprising professionals from healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, have acquired essential skills and expertise in disaster preparedness and response through five intensive residencies in five countries, and immersive experiences and interactions with leading experts.
As part of the event, a student exhibit featuring capstone projects highlighted original research on key issues in global incident management, underscoring the essential role of emergency response education in ensuring community safety during disasters.
Marking the occasion, faculty director for the IEDM program in DC Dr. Tim Frazier said: “Georgetown is indeed fortunate to have such intelligent and capable students in its program, and I know each of you will be amazing representatives of our great university as you move through life.” In his remarks, the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Safwan Masri, said: “Your Masters degree in Emergency and Disaster Management opens a new stage in your professional careers. The significance of this unparalleled qualification cannot be overstated. It stands for your capacity to protect and prevent, to help and save – when disaster strikes.” During the ceremony, a number of projects on contextualizing disaster management for district and township staff and another on emergency managers and their perceptions of climate change and the global environment were presented.
Earning special recognition for their research, Hannah Ludes, a former team leader with AmeriCorps NCCC: FEMA Corps, won the Outstanding Capstone Impact Award for her work exploring Covid-19-related burnout in US nurses.
Emma Reynolds won the Outstanding Capstone Thesis Award for her exploration of the complex task of developing a capacity index for host states dealing with a refugee crisis impacted by climate change.
IEDM Alumnus Faruk Azad, Assistant Executive Director of Business Development at Hamad Medical Corporation, was honored with the Alumni and Ambassador Extraordinaire Award for his contributions to the program.
Source: Qatar News Agency