The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Deakin University, Australia, have concluded the Leadership for Crisis Managers, a three-day executive training workshop held at IIT Roorkee’s Greater Noida campus from 27-29 October 2026.
The programme was delivered through IIT Roorkee’s Integrated Centre for Adaptation to Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainability (ICARS) and Deakin’s Centre for Humanitarian Leadership (CHL). It brought together government officials, academic experts, industry representatives, and disaster management and crisis response practitioners.
The focus was on strengthening crisis leadership, decision-making, and multi-agency coordination in a complex risk environment that includes climate-driven disasters, public health emergencies, and infrastructure disruptions.
Participants engaged in crisis simulations, practical exercises, and collaborative learning. Sessions addressed adaptive leadership, inclusive response, governance, and disaster risk reduction. The workshop emphasised the need for leaders who can navigate uncertainty, coordinate across institutions, and make informed decisions under pressure.
Steven Biddle, Counsellor Minister and Regional Director – South Asia, Australian Department of Home Affairs, said effective disaster leadership begins long before a crisis by building trust, strengthening networks, and fostering collaboration across sectors and nations. He noted that Australia and India can build resilient communities through shared knowledge, coordinated action, and a collective commitment to preparedness, response, and recovery.
Prof. K. K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, stated that the collaboration reflects a shared journey of mutual learning in which international perspectives and local experiences come together to strengthen leadership, build knowledge, and foster greater resilience in disaster preparedness and response.
Professor Mary Ana McGlasson, Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University, said leaders should build trust, recognise the strength within affected communities, and empower them to shape decisions that protect their safety and recovery. She called for leading with courage, collaborating across boundaries, and turning shared learning into meaningful action for the next disaster.
Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia) at Deakin University, congratulated stakeholders and said the partnership reflects the value of bringing together Indian and Australian expertise to address shared challenges. By connecting research, leadership development, and practical experience, the initiative aims to strengthen the capabilities of those responsible for crisis response and help build more adaptive, resilient institutions and communities.
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The programme recognises that disaster resilience depends not only on technical preparedness but also on strong leadership, effective institutions, and the ability to translate knowledge into action. Participants explored adaptive decision-making, collaborative governance, and the role of technology, data, and AI in risk-informed planning. The collaboration draws on IIT Roorkee’s long history and contributions to disaster risk reduction and Deakin University’s expertise in humanitarian leadership through the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, along with disaster research and teaching across disciplines.
Professor Anil K. Gupta, Professor in the Water Resources Development and Management Department and Principal Investigator of ICARS (a Government of India DST Centre of Excellence) at IIT Roorkee, said the institutions are united to help build resilience and strengthen recovery efforts of the nation, states, industry, and people by addressing leadership capacity gaps at all levels to minimise future disaster-related losses. He added that mutual learning and knowledge exchange through initiatives of IIT Roorkee with CHL and Deakin University will further strengthen Indo-Australian cooperation and deepen the bilateral partnership in disaster risk reduction and resilience.
The collaboration reinforces the shared commitment of IIT Roorkee and Deakin University to advancing disaster resilience through leadership development, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector partnerships while connecting global expertise with local priorities and impact.
Deakin University, established in 1974, combines excellence in teaching, research, and partnerships with industry and government. Its South Asia operations began in 1994 in New Delhi. ICARS at as a Department of Science & Technology Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee’s Greater Noida Campus, focuses on research, policy development, capacity building, and knowledge integration in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, resilience, and sustainability. The Centre for Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University is a global leader in humanitarian leadership development, research, and training.
Further details are available at the websites of Deakin University, ICARS at IIT Roorkee, and the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership.
