Risk Wise

courses etc. In addition to in-house guidance and support the CSIR

works very closely with the UFS to ensure timely and efficient

execution of the programme.

Student placement

One of the important requirements of the programme is to ensure

that the students receive on-the-job training. Here, the DPLG,

through its National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), DWAF

and the Tshwane Municipality excelled in taking the lead for accom-

modating students, who have settled well in the work environment.

Students are placed on a rotational basis between the different depart-

ments so that they can be exposed to a diversity of experience. The

host institutions also have the benefit of evaluating students for

future permanent employment.

Students were involved in a very comprehensive and substantive

learning programme at their host institutions. They were exposed

to day-to-day disaster risk reduction as well as disaster response

activities. This put an additional workload on their supervisors at

the host institutions; something that was gladly accepted by these

professionals since they recognized the benefit of supplementing

theoretical training with practical experience.

Programme management

The day-to-day management of the programme is done by an

appointed manager from the implementing agency who reports to a

steering committee. The steering committee is responsible for strate-

gic management and consists of representatives from the UFS, DST,

CSIR, DWAF and the NDMC. The steering committee meets on a

regular basis and has the following tasks:

• To oversee and guide the project

• To review progress on the project and ensure regular reporting

to monitors appointed by DST to review progress

• To approve and certify correctly the Minutes of previous

steering committee meetings

• To consider and confirm, where and when applicable, the

inclusion of an additional steering committee member

• To make recommendations regarding the future of

the project

• If necessary, appoint separate committees to the

project on an ‘ad hoc’ basis

• To do whatever else may be necessary to give full

and proper effect to and to achieve the objectives of

the project.

Distance learning and contact sessions

Distance learning can be quite a challenge. However, the

University has ensured a fair amount of contact between

students and lecturers. Thus far there have been several

contact sessions organized by the university which are

complementary to the distance learning programme.

Students have to attend three contact sessions per year; one

each during January (five days), May (eight days) and

October (three days). These sessions are well organizedwith

substantive content and students derive a great deal of benefit

from them. As part of the evaluation of students it is expected

that they will produce two assignments per structured

module and write a final examination for each module.

In addition to the structured modules, students have

to write a dissertation worth 120 credits before qualify-

ing for the Masters degree in Disaster Management.

Students are expected to base their dissertations on basic

research, which usually focuses on research problems

identified during their practical exposure in one of the

host departments. An additional benefit for the host

departments is that these research results became avail-

able for their own use.

Student performance

One of the most important lessons learned from the learn-

ership programme is the importance of proper candidate

selection. A high drop-out rate was experienced during

the 2007 intake, with only three out of the original 14

selected students graduating in time for the Masters

degree. A further four students opted for the Higher

University Diploma.

The 2008 intake performed much

better as a result of more rigorous selection criteria.

Probably the best testimony for the success of the

programme is that all students are appointed to jobs

before final completion of their studies.

Current status and future planning

The CSIR ceased its role as implementing agent for the

programme from 2009 but still functions in a consulta-

tive capacity. The continuation of the programme,

however, was resolved by the DST with the provision of

a further USD650,000 and the appointment of the UFS

as the new implementing agent. A person with a Masters

degree in water management has been appointed as

project manager to continue with the management of

the programme in line with the guidelines set by the

CSIR as the first implementing agency. In addition to

this the following tasks were added:

• Provide academic mentorship to students

• Ensure the involvement of the outstanding national

government departments in the programme

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The first graduates from the programme with the steering committee

Image: DiMTEC