The two bodies will collaborate in the areas of education, research, exchange of expertise and capacity building pertaining to disaster management.

They will also touch upon subjects like risk management issues in development, environmental aspect in risk management and ICT application in disaster management.

GGSIPU vice chancellor K.K. Agarwal and NIDM executive director P.G. Dhar Chakrabarti signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

"The intent of this agreement is to provide a mechanism for both the parties to work together in mutually progressive and supportive activities," said Chakrabarti.

"Disaster preparedness, mitigation and management are areas of concern, and collaboration of a policy making body with our university will be greatly helpful in the area of disaster management," Amarjeet Kaur, dean of the school of environment management, GGSIPU, told IANS.

GGSIPU started an MBA programme on disaster management last year to train top officials from fire services and police forces.

Kaur added that the two organisations would develop curriculum for training programmes on disaster risk management.

The GGSIPU had earlier signed an agreement with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy (LBSNA) in Mussoorie to work in areas like incident operation and mental preparation for disaster management.