Department of Geodesy and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering holds a short course ‘Geospatial Sciences & Technologies for Disaster Management’. The activity is held for four days, 18-21 July 2011, at the University Club (UC) of UGM.
Head of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Dr. Samsul Ma’arif, giving opening speech in the event, said that the awareness of living is very important, especially for Indonesian people who live in areas vulnerable to disasters. By realizing this condition, the community continues to be vigilant to the possibilities of risk. "Our society has just been responsive and aware of the disaster not long after the tsunami in Aceh in 2004," he said.
Samsul further said that one of ways to minimize the risks arising from the disaster is to keep people away from disaster by creating an early warning system against disasters, moreover, by removing disasters from the community through preventive measures, such as terracing to prevent soil erosion or making cliff against flooding. "Furthermore, we should also live in harmony, adapting with nature or disasters. If we don’t want to be hit by the wave, then don’t live by the beach," he added.
On that occasion, Samsul hoped that the geospatial science and technology are expected to contribute towards disaster management efforts. "Geospatial science and technology are expected to provide an overview of how to make a good layout for residence in the disaster zone, providing a picture of the borders of areas which are safe to live," Samsul said.
It is said by committee chairman, Ir. Subaryono, M.A., Ph.D., besides following the course, the participants also visited Cangkringan and Magelang to see the impact of Merapi eruption some time ago. Furthermore, the third day saw the Visit the Impacted Urban Areas, Yogyakarta event, guided directly by Chairman of Code Observers Forum, Drs. Totok Pratopo.
The man who also serves as Head of Graduate Department of Geodesy and Geomatics UGM said that a variety of course materials will be presented, namely Ground Rules Applied: Logistics etc. by Ir. Subaryono, M.A, Ph.D., Survey & Mapping Activities For Mitigation, Emergency and Response Activities by Dr.Trias Aditya KM, ST, M.Sc., GPS / GNSS and Aerial Photograph for Survey and Mapping for Disaster Management by Dr. Ir. T. Aris Sunantyo, M. Sc, and Hazard Modeling and Risk Assessments with GIS, by Dr. Eng. Purnama B.S., M.App.Sc.