Online Learning » online learning http://onlinelearning.unu.edu Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:42:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 EN hourly 1 Dealing with Disasters http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/disasters/ http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/disasters/#comments Wed, 23 May 2007 10:55:48 +0000 admin http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/disasters/ Background
In 2005, the total number of disasters increased by 18% compared to the previous year. While the number of deaths associated with disasters has declined in recent years, the economic losses have been increasing steadily. In the Asia Pacific region, between 1994 and 2003, there were 1,143 natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, droughts/famines, extreme temperatures, floods, forests fires, and windstorms).

At the same time, there has been a growth in techniques and tools designed to help prepare for and cope with disasters which include risk mapping, remote sensing, earth observation, hazard monitoring and early warning systems.

Highlights
This semester-based course on Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance was developed by the University of Hawai’i and implemented in collaboration with a network of universities in the Asia Pacific region. The topics covered include:

What is a disaster?
Who is responsible for disaster management?
Disasters, vulnerability and social resilience
Cultures of Disaster and Cultures of Coping
Earthquakes and Tsunamis – their science and technology for mitigation
Climate Hazards, Forecast Warnings and Response Systems
Slow-onset Disasters
Community Based Disaster Management
Hazard Mitigation
Global Observing Systems
Public Awareness and Disaster Management

Each partner university integrates the course into their existing teaching programmes and in many instances offers credits to the students taking the course. A certificate of completion is awarded to students who successfully complete the course.

Level
Designed for students in the tertiary education (graduate and post-graduate) and for professionals and practitioners.

Design and Technology
The course is implemented real-time over video-conferencing with 15 sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours. Hosted on the Moodle Learning Management System maintained by the University of Hawai’i.

Course Coordinator
University of Hawai’i

Copyright License
Copyright is owned by the individual lecturers. Some Rights Reserved.

Project Title
Asia Pacific Initiative

]]> http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/disasters/feed/ 0 Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/api/ http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/api/#comments Wed, 23 May 2007 10:55:33 +0000 admin http://onlinelearning.unu.edu/en/api/ Background
Asia and the Pacific is the home to 65% of the world’s population. It is also one of the fastest growing regions in the world in terms of industrial production and economic development. Yet, we find that 670 million people in the region live on less that US$1 per day. Nearly 2 billion people have no access to improved sanitation and over 650 million are without access to drinking water.

In the Pacific, the island communities face a unique set of problems in terms of energy security, waste management and the conservation of natural resources and marine ecosystems.

Countries on mainland Asia need to deal with dramatic population growth and rapid urbanization.

How the Asia Pacific region responds to the sustainability challenge will affect the future of the global environment.

Highlights
This semester-based Advanced Seminar on International Environmental Studies is implemented by a network of universities in the Asia Pacific region. The topics covered include:

Coral Reef Management and Marine Biodiversity
Small Island Ecosystems and Sustainable Development
Forest Resource Management
Coastal Zone Management
Air Pollution Control in Asia
Land, Air and Marine Based Chemical Pollution
Solid Waste Management
Sustainable Agriculture
International Environmental Policies
Kyoto Protocol and Climate Change
Innovative Environmental Policy Tools
Earth Observing Technologies

Each partner university integrates the course into their existing teaching programmes and in many instances offers credits to the students taking the course. A certificate is awarded to students who complete all of the course assignments.

Level
The course offers advanced professionals and students interested in environmental studies, planning, and resource conservation and management an opportunity to learn from a diverse faculty from each of the participating institutions as well as distinguished guest lecturers from regional and international organizations.

Design and Technology
The course is implemented real-time over video-conferencing with 15 sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours. Hosted on the Moodle Learning Management System maintained by the University of Hawai’i.

Course Coordinator
Keio University

Copyright License
Copyright is owned the individual lecturers. Some Rights Reserved.

Project Title
Asia Pacific Initiative

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