Ardhi University - Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
The institution was elevated to university status through the University Act No 7 of 2005, and signing of Ardhi University Charter by the President Jakaya Kikwete of the Tanzania on 28 March 2007, The University has a student body of just over 2500, but despite its size it offers 39 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes which range from standard diplomas to doctorates. The Disaster Management Training Centre (DMTC) at Ardhi University was first established in May 2002, as one outcome of the country’s “Strengthening Tanzania Disaster Response Project” (STDRP). This initiative by the Disaster Management Department (DMD) of the Prime Minister’s Office, was prompted by major disaster incidents in Tanzania in the late 1990s, and was financially supported by USAID. Although, initially Ardhi University (ARU) was involved in implementing the training component of the STDRP, the need to ensure the sustainability of disaster management training gave rise to the need of formalising DMTC in the structure of the University. Thereby the DMTC aims to strengthen Tanzania’s disaster response capacity through investing in training and applied research on urban risks and environmental management, advocacy, and the provision of public services in disaster management. |
Main objectives of the DMTC;
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Since its establishment in May 2002 and its subsequent formalization within the University structure in 2005, the Centre has performed a number of disaster risk management activities, which have had positive and recognised impacts in Tanzania which include:
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AÏDA Project (Advancing ICT for Disaster Risk Management) which aims at researching affordable ICT solutions in Africa with the intention of reducing the risk of disasters that are naturally triggered and to improve capacity to respond to disasters. Other initiatives and projects the unit has undertaken have included running several short courses on disaster risk reduction, emergency planning and environmental management as well as partnering with the government Disaster management Department to develop radio segments on preventing and responding to disasters. |
Commissioned research
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Academic Courses | ||
Since joining Periperi U in 2006, the university has launched postgraduate master’s programme focusing on disaster risk management, engineering and reduction.
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Short Courses | ||
The centre runs both ordinary and tailor made short courses covering the following topics;
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