UGM and National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) cooperate in establishment of Center of Excellence for science and technology development in the field of disaster and disaster management in Indonesia. The signing of MoU was conducted by UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., and Head of BNPB, Dr. Syamsul Ma'arif, M.Sc., Friday (16/12) in Multimedia Room of UGM Central Office.
The cooperation includes implementation of planning, programming and research related to disaster and disaster management, joint and integrated activities for the development of science and technology on disaster.
Syamsul Ma'arif said that university has a crucial role in disaster management. At least, there are four areas that can be done by universities as agents of disaster research, disaster consultants, partners in the preparation of Regional Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMD), as well as in the development of technology products for disaster mitigation.
"Through this collaboration, the results developed by UGM are expected to be jointly developed in disaster management efforts," he explained.
On that occasion, Syamsul also said that disaster management in Indonesia is still similar from each other. The 37 ministries in Indonesia have not shown uniqueness in handling disasters. "If disaster happens, every region asks for rafts. In the future each institution is expected to have uniqueness in dealing with every disaster," he said.
UGM Rector mentioned as a university, UGM is willing to help prepare disaster response community. The cooperation with BNPB is expected to improve the collective capacity in planning and implementing disaster management in Indonesia that would benefit the wider society.
"This partnership is expected to increase synergies for the benefit of the community, the nation and the state in terms of disaster management," he explained.