Another year of MDRM has started at MJIIT with students from various DRM backgrounds. Lecture of the first module, “Integrated Disaster Risk Management,” was initiated again this year by Professor Emeritus Dr Kuniyoshi Takeuchi.

MDRM lectures are conducted by a team of prominent Japanese professors from top Japanese universities and research institutes together with renowned Malaysian experts. Aimed to train DRM practitioners wishing to advance their knowledge and skills in their respective works in DRM, the program covers various topics in DRM from policy and technical issues.

The participants of the MDRM 2016/2017 Japan Attachment Program completed their 2-week program in Kanto (East Japan) and Kansai (West Japan) regions from 23 July – 5 August 2017. Visits in Kanto area included 筑波大学｜University of Tsukuba, International Center for Water Hazards and Risk Management (ICHARM), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and field work at Nikko Sabo Dam and Kinugawa River Basin. Visits in Kansai area included Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, 立命館大学／Ritsumeikan University, Osaka and Hyogo Prefecture Disaster Management Office, Disaster Research Institute (DRI), Hyogo Emergency Medical Center (HEMC) and field work at Yodo River Basin. The MDRM 2017/2018 full time students are also eligible to join the same attachment program in summer of 2018 to get hands-on field experience from Japan in disaster risk reduction. Photos of the trip can be found HERE

From 19-21 July 2017, DPPC conducted its first overseas outreach program in Hanoi, Vietnam to promote collaboration for possible joint trainings, research and projects with top universities/research institutes and DRM agencies in Vietnam. The DPPC member consisted of Dr. Aizul Nahar Harun, Senior Lecturer and DPPC research fellow and Dr. Shohei Matsuura, JICA Expert to DPPC.

Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), 19 June

MARD is one of the key line agencies that are responsible for planning measures to natural disasters in Vietnam.

With understanding that both countries face the same DRM issues, which are more focused on water-related disasters (e.g. floods and coastal erosion), discussions with DMC ranged from cooperation for building capacities of their disaster managers in the MDRM program as well as joint training programs that could be implemented in Malaysia and Vietnam.

The meeting was joined by Mr Dang Quan Minh, Deputy Director, Mr Nguyen Huynh Quang, Head of CBDRM Division and other DMC officers.

Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment (HUNRE), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 19 June

HUNRE, situated under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and owning over 10,000 students and close to 400 faculty members, is a new institute established in 2010 (but with 60 years history as a college) that focuses on education and research in the field of environment, hydrology, water resource management and climate change.

The DPPC team was received by Professor Dr Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, President, Assoc. Prof Dr Pham Quy Nhan, Vice President, Dr. Nguyen Ba Dzung, Head of Science, Technology and International Relations and other heads of departments. Ideas were raised for (1) joint research and training programs in the field of environmental management and climate change and (2) student/faculty exchange. To materialize these, signing of MoU was suggested by President Thanh.

Thuy Loi University (TLU), 20 June

Thuy Loi University is one of the prominent education and research institute with stregth in water-related civil engineering and has produced many disaster experts currently active in government agencies and research institutes.

Greeted by Professor Dr Nguyen Canh That, Vice Rector and Professor Pham Hong Nga, Head of International Cooperation Department, suggestions on drafting a join research proposal on issues such as flood control and dam operation were raised. Both sides were also keen on student/staff exchange and joint JICA projects, partnering the Japanese universities.

Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (IMHEN), Office of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 20 June

IMHEN is a research institute under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) that owns about 300 staffs conducting research and offering PhD on climatology, hydrology and water resource management. IMHEN is also the key research institute in making climate change scenarios for Vietnam and suggesting adaptive measures for sustainable infrastructure, agriculture and marine development.

Received by Nguyen Dang Mau, Deputy Director of Office of Climate Change and his staffs, IMHEN expressed strong interest for staff exchange, especially for younger staff to build their technical capacity in climate adaptation research.

As part of MDRM’s “Disaster Education and Preparedness for Social Resilience” course, the students and faculty members conducted questionnaire survey and focused group discussion (FGD) to later draft the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Plan for the community to take measures to future possible disasters.