Climate Change and Disaster Planning Partnerships

The University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN4DRR) project, funded by Erasmus+, aims to modernize higher education in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Management by integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). Its goal is to build expertise for preventing and managing disasters in the Indian Ocean Rim, foster regional cooperation, and improve disaster preparedness through modern curriculum, geospatial laboratories, and joint training initiatives.

For more information about the project click: UN4DRR

Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies for Disaster Management is a specialized program designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize geospatial technologies in disaster management and emergency response scenarios. This interdisciplinary program combines principles from geoinformatics, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and disaster management to develop professionals who can effectively address and mitigate the impacts of disasters using spatial data analysis and visualization techniques.

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MNU and UNESCAP collaborated to organize workshops and capacity-building sessions to train local government officials including atoll/island councils in using tools and data from the ESCAP Risk and Resilience Portal for climate-resilient development planning.

Click the link to portal

The new Geospatial Lab established at The Maldives National University (MNU) under the UN4DRR project has been inaugurated on 29th January 2023 by Dr Mohamed Shareef, the Vice Chancellor of the university. The event was held to coincide with the project Technical Training and Partners meeting scheduled in the Maldives from 29th January to 02nd February 2023, attended by delegates from both European and Asian partner universities. The newly developed lab is equipped with performance computers, hardware and software for cartography, modelling and simulations acquired with support from the European Union under the framework of UN4DRR. In addition, professional drones and field equipment were procured to improve data collection.

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The UN4DRR project of FEST has run a short course on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course was held from March 28 January – 10th February 2023, which brought together 15 participants from various fields aiming to learn Geographic Information Systems and its usage relative to their fields. The course was conducted in the newly established Geospatial Lab at MNU. The 15 participants in the GIS short course come from a variety of fields related to disaster risk reduction, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and academia. The course will provide them with valuable skills and knowledge that they can apply in their work. The course was also tailored to the needs of the participants, with a focus on practical applications and hands-on exercises. GIS is a powerful tool for visualising, analysing, and interpreting data related to disaster risk reduction. The course will cover topics such as data collection, mapping, spatial analysis, and modelling using GIS software. Participants learned how to apply GIS techniques to various contexts of their work. The course is part of the UN4DRR project’s efforts to build capacity in the University and to expand geospatial data exploration and usage in the Maldives. The GIS short course being run by The Maldives National University and the UN4DRR project is an important step in building capacity in disaster risk reduction in the Maldives, as the UN4DRR project focuses specifically on DRR in the Indian Ocean Rim Countries.

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Submission to the Biodesign Challange. SHORE Thing is a bio-beach rock designed to dissipate ocean currents and nourish eroding beaches, placed in the inter-tidal zone. The structure features one-meter geometric shells made from coral beach sand, coconut coir fibers, and a safe bacterium, promoting sand accretion and environmental degradation at the end of life.

https://www.biodesignchallenge.org/cca-arch-ucsf-maldives-2025