▎TEACHING & LEARNING

Global climate change has produced an increased frequency and scale of disasters, marked by complex and interconnected factors and effects. There is a pressing demand for experts with cross-disciplinary knowledge who can meet the intertwined socio-ecological challenges in an evidence-based and socially conscious manner.

Due to her distinctive geographical location and geological features, Taiwan faces a multitude of hazards. Disjointed land development and extreme weather conditions have resulted in increasingly severe and complex challenges, leading to serious damage and heavy losses. However, these environmental factors and effects have also led to the development of exceptional expertise in science, technology, and governance in Taiwan, constituting our resilience in the face of social and ecological challenges.

To cultivate a global perspective and competence in future generations for addressing these upcoming challenges, the International College of National Taiwan University has inaugurated a new international Master’s Program in Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (MDR³) in 2023. This pioneering program has recruited faculty members from the atmospheric, engineering, geographical, environmental, and social sciences. It is the first program of its kind to combine natural and social sciences as well as bridge the gap between research and teaching. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a holistic understanding and capability in such emerging fields as intelligent disaster prevention and management, loss and damage assessment, nature-based solutions, and resilience planning for climate justice.

MDR³ has established partnerships with several overseas and domestic institutions, including the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), which stands at the forefront of risk and resilience management in Taiwan. These partnerships offer numerous opportunities for collaborative lectures, international exchanges, field trips, internships, and scholarships. Through nurturing an international, multicultural, interdisciplinary environment, our goal is to cultivate young talents and leaders of the next generation who will bridgw the gap between research, policy, and practice to contribute to realizing a more sustainable and resilient future.