A newly developed Master of Public Health module on disaster response is to be delivered under the Master of Public Health programmes at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Designed for professionals and disaster and humanitarian workers with emphasis on practical applications and state-of-the-art knowledge, the module, which consists of two courses, is offered as part of postgraduate study programmes and alsoavailable as an individual short course.

The module is a joint achievement of the Collaboration Centre for Oxford University and the CUHK for Disaster and medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC) of the Faculty of Medicine of the CUHK, the Harvard University, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI). 

Emergency Risk Communication in Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis 

Course Coordinator: Gloria Kwong Wai-chan

Course Description

In a crisis, every word counts. The need to communicate risks as accurate as possible in a timely manner arises as much from public expectation as professional need. Communication not only helps build resilience of the community but also prevent disease, disability and death, and restore dignity of the people facing disasters. This course offers theoretical yet practical framework of effective advocacy and emergency risk communication in an evolving media landscape, and covers cases ranging from outbreaks to natural disasters in humanitarian settings.

Learning Outcomes/Objectives

After completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the principles and issues of emergency risk communication in disaster and humanitarian settings;


2. Demonstrate a strong awareness of various communication models in different phases of emergency management;


3. Realize the challenges and opportunities to engage media in disaster management programmes;


4. Reflect on partnership and timely engagement with the public in crisis;


5. Conceptualize and apply the knowledge to develop an effective communication strategy in disaster and humanitarian crisis.

Course Schedule

Fee

Application Fee: HK$100

Course Fee: HK$8 800

Global Health Perspectives of Humanitarian Crisis & Human Security

Course Coordinator: Prof. Emily Chan / Prof. Jennifer Leaning (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

Course Description

This course aims at providing an overview of interconnections between health and human security in the context of globalization and forced migration of many causes. Specifically, the course will examine how the changing humanitarian and human security landscape, for instance the current context of conflict, brought the two fields closer and the challenges presented for human security and global health. On top of classroom lectures and tutorials, this course provides series of seminars offer by speakers in the field of disaster and humanitarian crisis to allow students to follow current topics in this area.

Learning Outcomes/Objectives

By the end of this module, students are expected to be able to:

1. Describe and explain the principles of humanitarian and human security and how they impact health access and outcomes;


2. Understand the current state of human security and how it affects global health inequalities;


3. Apply human-security frameworks, tools and methods to participants’ fields of practice;


4. Discuss the impact of forced migration due to conflict and disaster;


5. Acknowledge the breadth the of the study of humanitarian issues;


6. Reflection on the importance of addressing humanitarian issues in the contemporary world.

Course Schedule

Fee

Application Fee: HK$100

Course Fee: HK$8 800