DD Correspondent
Jammu, The Disaster Management Centre (DMC), University of Jammu, successfully completed a one-week experiential learning and capacity-building training programme for its first-ever batch of postgraduate first-semester students in collaboration with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) 2nd Battalion, Jammu.
The training, held from September 21 to September 29, 2026, focused on equipping students with practical skills in disaster preparedness, rescue, emergency response and mitigation.
Recognizing the importance of hands-on training in disaster management, DMC Director Prof. S.K. Pandita and Dr. Yudhbir Singh approached Shri Mohd Aslam, SSP and Commandant, SDRF 2nd Battalion, with the proposal. The Commandant readily accepted the initiative, paving the way for the intensive training programme.
During the week-long programme, SDRF experts provided students with practical training in water disaster rescue, emergency medical first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), aquatic safety, flood survival, triage, wound management and cardiac arrest response.
The students also visited SDRF Headquarters at Kot Bhalwal, where they were given demonstrations of modern search-and-rescue equipment, communication devices and other disaster response technologies.
The programme concluded with a valedictory ceremony during which student representatives Alka and Niharika presented a detailed report on their learning experience and key takeaways from the various training modules.
Certificates of completion were jointly presented to the participating students by University of Jammu and SDRF officials. The ceremony was attended by Prof. S.K. Pandita, Director, Disaster Management Centre; Shri Mohd Aslam, SSP and Commandant, SDRF 2nd Battalion; Dr. Yudhbir Singh; and SDRF officers including DySP Dinesh Gupta, DySP Lalit and DySP Rohit.
As a gesture of appreciation, Prof. Pandita and Dr. Yudhbir Singh presented a commemorative memento to Commandant Shri Mohd Aslam in recognition of the SDRF team’s mentorship and support.
Addressing the students, Shri Mohd Aslam appreciated the University of Jammu for initiating the programme and encouraged the participants to apply the skills acquired during the training in their daily lives. He emphasized the importance of proactive risk reduction and urged the students to become ambassadors of disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship and a clean and green future.
Prof. S.K. Pandita reiterated the Disaster Management Centre’s commitment to developing competent, field-ready professionals capable of responding effectively to natural and man-made disasters across the region.