UGC Selects Coordinators for Disaster Risk Reduction MOOC on SWAYAM

Out of 79 proposals received, 10 were rejected due to non-submission of required video materials, leaving 69 for evaluation.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has finalized the selection of course coordinators for the development and delivery of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on "Disaster Risk Reduction and Management" (DRRM) under the SWAYAM platform. The selection process involved an extensive evaluation by an expert committee, following the submission of proposals through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Out of 79 proposals received, 10 were rejected due to non-submission of required video materials, leaving 69 for evaluation. The initial screening process eliminated 45 proposals based on factors such as the quality and relevance of sample videos, presentation style, and institutional rankings within the top 150 of NIRF 2024. This left 27 proposals for further assessment.

In the second stage of evaluation, shortlisted proposals were reviewed based on the clarity and effectiveness of introductory videos, expertise in disaster risk reduction, and overall presentation quality. Following this, 12 faculty members were invited for face-to-face interactions on March 20, 2025. The final selection was made based on subject expertise, communication skills, innovative teaching methodologies, and the comprehensiveness of course content.

After rigorous deliberations, Dr. S. Mohammed Irshad, Assistant Professor at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, was selected as the Course Coordinator for the 4-credit undergraduate MOOC, while Dr. Harish Gupta, Assistant Professor at Osmania University, Hyderabad, was chosen for the 4-credit postgraduate MOOC.

Additionally, the committee placed Prof. Raju Sarkar from Delhi Technological University and Prof. R. Prahankumar from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, on the waitlist. The remaining eight faculty members were not considered as their proposals failed to meet the evaluation criteria. The selection of course coordinators marks a significant step in UGC’s efforts to enhance digital learning and expand access to quality education in disaster risk management. The chosen courses will soon be available on the SWAYAM platform, offering structured and specialized learning opportunities for students across the country.

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