Tulane Gets $5 Million For Disaster Training

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given Tulane University a $5 million grant to help universities in disaster-prone regions in Africa and Asia establish programs in disaster resilience and leadership.

Ky Luu, executive director of Tulane's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy, says the grant is designed to create leaders with expertise in disaster planning, response and reduction.

In addition to offering short courses and postgraduate courses, the project will create postgraduate degree programs to ensure a future supply of leaders. Luu says it will also set up a worldwide network in which community leaders and teachers can collaborate and share their experiences.