DOHA: Students from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar have embarked on international trips to China and Cyprus for disaster management programmes.

Seventeen students are on a nine-day trip to Cyprus, as part of their participation in the school's Zones of Conflict, Zones of Peace programme (ZCZP). They will meet with representatives from government, academia and non-governmental organisations in Cyprus in order to gain a better understanding of the countryĺs territorial disputes and conflict management strategies, during the trip.

The trip to Cyprus is part of the coursework for students participating in the Zones of Conflict, Zones of Peace programme (ZCZP). After taking courses on conflict management and resolution, ZCZP students travel to a conflict site to witness firsthand the theories they studied in class.

"The conflict site visit is a vital part of our curriculum, as it adds practical experience to students' theoretical understanding of conflict management and resolution. This semester's visit to Cyprus promises to be a very rewarding one, and we hope it will serve as a gateway for students wishing to pursue careers in conflict management," said Eric Lightfoot, ZCZP coordinator.

The ZCZP programme was created by Georgetown SFS-Q Deans Brendan Hill and John Crist, and provides students with the basic concepts of conflict resolution, while teaching them the role that history and culture play in fostering disputes.

Meanwhile, another ten students traveled to China on Friday for an eight day service learning trip associated with a disaster management training programme organised by the school's Service Learning Programme (SLP). Students will be traveling to the areas of China which were heavily-affected by last yearĺs earthquake, where they will learn about disaster response and management strategies, meet with government and UNDP representatives, and assist in relief work on the ground.

The University's Service Learning Programme (SLP) designed the disaster management training programme, in partnership with the Qatar Red Crescent Society, to serve as a skill-building initiative for students. The programme was first offered in the 2008 spring semester, and awards students who complete the course with a certification in disaster management.

"The trip to China promises to be an invaluable experience for our students as an opportunity for skill-development and firsthand learning. Moreover, it will allow students to assist in tangibly improving the lives of people suffering in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster," said Uday Rosario, the SLP coordinator.

Ten students were selected to participate in the China disaster management training programme over their spring break. The program will begin with a visit to Beijing, where students will meet with Professor Ding Dou to learn about the country's economy and socio-politics. At that time, students will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Red Cross of China, and the Chinese government.

During the second leg of the trip, students will travel to Chengdu, an area heavily-affected by last year's earthquake in the Sichuan district of China. There, the volunteers will meet with the Red Cross of Sichuan to receive training in disaster-related health and education issues, and work with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for individuals left homeless by the earthquake.

As part of Georgetown University Qatar's dedication to a holistic education involving "out of class" learning experiences, students are encouraged to participate in service learning trips like these