The department of Disaster Preparedness and Engineering Management (DPEM) was established in the year 2010. It is one of the four (4) academic departments in the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA). Our focal areas of interest are natural hazards and disasters management, engineering and environmental studies that involve earth and atmospheric sciences.
We are committed to development and documentation excellence and integrity. To effectively achieve our commitments, the DPEM has four (4) Technical Divisions, through which members of staff carry out research development and documentation, consultancy, and outreach activities.
These Divisions include the following.
- The Division of Applied Meteorology, which is concerned with practical applications of weather information for prediction, food security studies, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is headed by Prof. S. B. B. Oteng’i.
- The Division of Environmental Health and Sanitation, which is concerned with activities that are related to environmental pollution and waste management. It is headed by Prof. E. M. Neyole.
- The Division of Earth-Surface Hydrology and Atmospheric Science, whose activities include surface water hydrology, floods and droughts phenomena, and climate change phenomenon. It is headed by Dr. V. M. Kiluva.
- The Division of Environmental Mechanics and Geospatial Science, which is concerned with activities related to soils physics and mechanics, landslide phenomenon, ground water hydrology, GIS, and Remote. It is headed by Dr. E. N. Masibayi.
The mandate of these Divisions is to formulate research proposals for funding; carry out research, consultancy, and outreach activities; mobilize staff and students to participate and present findings in conferences and seminars; and publish research findings in refereed journals.
For administrative purposes, the department has four (4) main Committees i.e.,
- Awards and Motivation [AM] Committee [Chaired by Prof. S. B. B. Oteng’i].
- Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Projects [GSUP] Committee [Chaired by Prof. E. M. Neyole].
- Academic Programmes Marketing and Publicity [APMP] Committee [Chaired by Dr. V. M. Kiluva].
- Examinations Committee [Chaired by Dr. E. N. Masibayi].
WELCOME!
The Department of Disaster Preparedness and Engineering Management is guided by a philosophy that integrates scientific innovation, resilience thinking, and human-centered approaches to mitigate the impacts of disasters and enhance sustainable development. The Department believes that effective disaster management is not only a technical endeavor but also a moral and social responsibility aimed at safeguarding lives, property, and the environment.
Our philosophical foundation rests on the conviction that disaster risk reduction and preparedness must be proactive, evidence-based, and inclusive, drawing upon engineering principles, indigenous knowledge, and multidisciplinary collaboration. We emphasize the importance of equipping learners with both practical competencies and ethical sensitivity necessary for addressing the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world.
In pursuit of this philosophy, the Department promotes:
Innovation and technology-driven solutions for disaster prevention and mitigation.
Community engagement and participatory approaches to build local resilience.
Interdisciplinary research and collaboration linking engineering, environmental science, and humanitarian principles.
Professional integrity, critical thinking, and leadership in the practice of disaster management and engineering.
Ultimately, our guiding philosophy is to empower graduates to become transformative agents who design, implement, and sustain systems that protect humanity and foster resilient, adaptive societies.
