University of Wisconsin - Disaster Management Center (UW-DMC)
Serving the learning needs of disaster/emergency management professionals in the developing world since 1982, the University of Wisconsin-Disaster Management Center (UW-DMC) has worked closely with experts recognized for their field experience, to develop disaster management training activities with a practical emphasis. It was formed as a collaboration between Intertect (now InterWorks) and the University of Wisconsin-Department of Engineering Professional Development. The Center's goal is to help improve the emergency management performance of non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, and international organizations, through a comprehensive professional development
programme in disaster management. Distance learning is the principal approach for this international
programme.
Self-study course modules have been developed for text, video and computer-based media. Since 1988, more than 5,000 individuals worldwide have enrolled in these self-study courses. Comprehensive training seminars and workshops have also been organized throughout the world for governmental groups, non-governmental organizations and inter-governmental agencies, including the United Nations. This more traditional, on-site training is for professionals in both disaster management and refugee emergency management.
The UW-DMC provided major educational design, development and technical assistance services for two multi-year training programmes. Since 1985, approximately 2,800 individuals from 125 countries have participated in the “Emergency Management Training Programme” (EMTP), a special training programme for refugee emergencies developed at the request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In addition, some 3,500 persons from 47 countries have learned from the “Disaster Management Training Programme” (DMTP) sponsored jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs
(DHA).
In fourteen years, the UW-DMC has been asked to provide direct training assistance for 8 government agencies, 7 educational institutions, 4 non-governmental organizations and 4 intergovernmental organizations.
All of these professional development activities are linked as part of an individualized study curriculum in educational collaboration with many institutions worldwide. Since the 1994 inauguration of the UW-DMC Disaster Management Diploma, more than 175 distance learners have registered as candidates for the Diploma. A personal study programme for the Diploma can combine UW-DMC self-study courses with courses from other organizations anywhere in the world. All courses, workshops and other training events carried out under the auspices of the eCentre will be certified by the UW-DMC and students/participants will receive appropriate university academic credits and transcript for the University of Wisconsin. This role is intended to be short-term however, and the academic functions of creditation and recording of training will be taken over by a locally recognized university or training institution.
The UW-DMC worldwide network of formal and informal educational collaboration includes national organizations such as: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (Thailand), Cranfield
Disaster Management Center (UK), Pearson Center for Peace Keeping Training (Canada), Oxford Refugee Studies Programme (UK), Southern Region Training Center for Emergency Prevention (Brazil), Technikon (South Africa) and many others. All attendees to Center events will receive information and contact points for additional study opportunities in these institutions.
