From August 30 to September 2, Kanazawa University held its first sessions of “Introduction to Disaster Prevention and Recovery Studies A & B” as core subjects in the newly established “Special Program for Human Resources in Disaster Prevention and Recovery.” More than 100 students participated, including two high school students enrolled as non-degree learners. This educational program was launched in April 2025 in response to the January 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, aiming to cultivate individuals who can contribute to disaster recovery and prevention efforts through specialized knowledge and collaboration with affected communities.
These courses are designed to train disaster prevention specialists who have knowledge not only about disaster prevention but also about recovery and reconstruction. Students who take these two courses are qualified to take the "Disaster Prevention Professional Qualification Examination" administered by Japan Disaster Prevention Specialist Organization, and credits for the courses are awarded upon successful completion of the examination.
The course was delivered as an intensive four-day program, featuring lectures by university faculty as well as practitioners from the field. Through group work and hands-on sessions, students deepened their understanding of natural disasters and gained a broad range of knowledge and skills essential for disaster prevention and recovery. This helped them build a strong foundation to become future Disaster Prevention Specialists active in their communities. On September 1, students participated in a tabletop exercise on evacuation shelter management, and on September 2, they took part in a basic life-saving training session. These group activities brought together students across disciplines and academic levels—from undergraduate to graduate—creating a dynamic learning environment where they inspired and challenged one another while developing leadership skills in disaster preparedness.
After the course concluded, students took the Disaster Prevention Specialist certification exam. More than 100 new Disaster Prevention Specialists are expected to emerge from among the course participants.
Kanazawa University will continue to cultivate individuals through its "Special Program for Human Resources in Disaster Prevention and Recovery" who can contribute not only to disaster preparedness and recovery in Japan, but also to global efforts in disaster risk reduction and post-disaster reconstruction.
"For more details about the "Special Program for Human Resources in Disaster Prevention and Recovery,"click here.
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Lecture by a Disaster Prevention Specialist -
Tabletop exercise on evacuation shelter management -
Basic lifesaving training
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