The Intrepid-13 Seminar Series: A Pilot Learning Odyssey with Public Health Challenges for Rethinking Disaster Management Training - A Maltese Curriculum Initiative with Ghanian Participation

Abstract

Layla Rahimpour, Krystle Attard, Neville Calleja, Magdalene P. Umoh, Abraham I. Jimmy, Tamba I. Matturie and Lee P. Gary, Jr.

The Intrepid-13 was a pilot Seminar Series, composed of thirteen (13) weekly sessions that replaced the traditional course textbook with research articles and business case studies on public health issues, and it substitutes an unabridged approach, called the BreakDown* to analyze the articles and cases. Purpose of the unabridged approach (BreakDown) was to extract expanded insight from the articles and cases for a comparative learning experience, specifically, to enhance disaster management training for graduate students in public health courses using peer research articles and practical business management case studies. A pilot of The Intrepid-13 was formalized and launched at the University of Malta during the 2026 Spring Session with sixteen (16) participants (13 with MD degrees). Seminars were held on campus with 13 students, while 3 students in Accra, Ghana participated via a secured virtual connection. This global dimension added vitality to class discourse. Unique to The Intrepid-13, all class instruction and BreakDown presentations of articles and cases were designed and delivered by the participants. The Seminar Sponsor served only as a program moderator. Participant engagement was emphasized, promoted, and recognized. As a first for University of Malta, The Intrepid-13 provided an opportunity for participants to be certified with the “Incident Command System,” an independent study course offered by the National Disaster & Emergency Management University (USA). Three (3) students earned the Certificate of Completion for the Incident Command System.

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