IUST Workshop Focuses on Empowering Next Generation for Disaster Resilience

Sualiha Zubair

Srinagar, Oct 14 (KF): Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora in collaboration with department of disaster management relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, government of Jammu and Kashmir organized one day workshop on international day for disaster reduction on Monday.

The workshop on the theme of ‘Empowering the Next Generation for Resilient Future’ was held to celebrate the international day for disaster risk reduction held on 13th october every year.

Chief Guest, Professor Bishal Nath Upreti, FTWAS President, Nepal Centre for Disaster Management in his speech highlighted the historical background and timeline of disasters in Asian countries in his speech.

He emphasized the crucial need to understand the vulnerability to disasters in South Asia. Professor Upreti commended the rise of academic courses focusing on disaster management,
stating that they play a vital role in preparing the next generation for a silent future.

“Governments in all countries should invest in disaster preparedness and strengthen response and rescue system as per the international framework,” he concluded.

Guest of honour, Snober Jameel, Under Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Disaster management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction affirmed the government’s dedication to establishing a safer environment in Jammu and Kashmir. She highlighted ongoing efforts across all levels to achieve this goal.

While appreciating IUST for organizing the workshop, she said “in order to promote disaster related prevention and mitigation, universities are the ideal places.”

Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST in his presidential remarks highlighted the vulnerability of Jammu and Kashmir to different disasters.

He also emphasized on the need for every individuals to at least have a disaster management plan of their own family prepared. With his own expertise in the field, he noted that it is unfortunate that people in Kashmir region spentcrores on building luxurious houses but often fail to build earth- quake resistant systems into it.

While talking about IUST’s Centre of Disaster Risk Reduction he said that its primary objectives to generate a culture of
disaster preparedness and teach students capacity building.

“There is a need to join hands between academia , society and the government and IUST is eager to be a link in that,” he concluded.

Professor Shakeel Ahmed, consultant IUST also spoke at the inaugural and said that while it is not possible to completely eliminate disasters, we can always minimize the risk by building
skills for disaster management later a posted presentation session was held.

It was followed by two technical sessions on earthquake hazards and Golf
hazards were leading experts from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of
India shared their valuable insight on the strategies and tools that could be used to ensure a disaster resilient future.

Mr. Waseem Qader, CDRR – IUST presented the vote of Thanks on the conclusion of the workshop.