Georgetown introduces executive master’s degree tailored for the GCC region

Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies announces a new executive master’s degree program designed to meet the needs of emergency and disaster management professionals in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Endorsed by the GCC Emergency Management Center, the degree is the first of its kind in the region, and specifically caters to the unique challenges and potential man-made and environmental emergencies that may affect GCC countries.

Dr. Adnan Al Tamimi, chairman of the GCC Emergency Management Center said, “We are very delighted that Georgetown University has been able to design this program with a GCC focus. This program aligns with the GCC EMC’s primary goals of enhancing regional risk management capacity through improved information management and exchange, supporting coordinated regional response and promoting regional integration and interoperability.”

The Executive Master of Professional Studies in Emergency & Disaster Management will prepare students to effectively mitigate the impact of potential threats and manage response efforts across the GCC member states.

Through a mix of learning methods, including a series of on-site intensives in Doha, Muscat, and Washington, D.C., the degree will develop the students’ strategic understanding of emergency management. The coursework includes critical thinking exercises, hands-on practice, and engagement with some of the world’s top industry experts and organizations.

“This degree is an opportunity for professionals working in the emergency and disaster management field to develop their skills with a qualification that is the first of its kind,” said Dr. Tim Frazier, Faculty Director at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies. “Tailored courses and a focus on regional collaboration will prepare students for the unique challenges that come with responding to hazards and emergencies in the GCC.”

During the year-long course, participants will learn how to prepare for and respond to natural and technological hazards and disasters, man-made threats, public health risks and humanitarian crises. Students will be equipped to deal with a range of issues, from cyber-attacks to infectious disease outbreaks, while working effectively under pressure and with partners in neighboring GCC countries.

The technical, legal, and ethical aspects of emergency and disaster management will also be discussed, and students will be challenged to examine current systems and suggest innovative alternatives to better prepare for future threats.

Interested professionals are invited to attend an information session at 7:00pm on Wednesday 24^th August at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi or 7:00 pm on Sunday August 28^th at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, where they can learn more about the degree and application requirements. More information is also available at cee.georgetown.edu/edm.