The Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Khamarrul Azahari Razak as the new Director of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center (DPPC).
A technical expert on geohazard, including sediment-related disasters, Dr. Khamarrul continues to expand his expertise in areas including, multi-hazard and socio-economical risk assessment, disaster infomatics, DRR policy and community based disaster risk reduction.
He has been involved in both national and international research projects, including Landslide Hazard and Risk Mapping project for Mineral and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG), Disaster Resilient Cities, Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (PLAN Malaysia), UK funded “Technology Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration for Supporting Risk- Sensitive Urban Development (TRANSCEND) Project and “Strengthening the Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity to Improve the Safety and Security of Communities by Understanding Disaster Risk (SeDAR)” funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
His network in disaster risk reduction is extensive – ranging from being a member of the Science and Technology Expert Panel for Disaster Risk Reduction (STEP) to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Prime Minister Department and internationally, member of Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC) TC21 and Working Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Young Academy Technical Committee.
During his tenure (June 2020 – May 2023) as the Director, he is expected to lead in further strengthening the 3 pillars of MJIIT’s Disaster Program, Education/Training (Master of Disaster Risk Management Program), Research (DPPC iKohza) and Field Practice as well as enhancing the “J” (Japan) and “I” (International) of MJIIT that will direct the way for DPPC to become a National Center and ASEAN DRR hub in the near future.