By: UC Research Services Office
The ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ, held on ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ at ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฅ, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐, marked a major step forward in strengthening digital innovation for natural hazard resilience. Organized under the theme โ๐ธ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐-๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐: ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐,โ the event brought together government leaders, academic experts, industry partners, and community stakeholders for a full day of knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The program opened with an overview of the DIGIHAZ Project, outlining its objectives and the new PhD program specializations designed to advance research on digital hazard mitigation. An inspirational message on governance and leadership in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) was delivered by ๐๐ฃ๐๐ง. ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ค โ๐ฟ๐ค๐ฎโ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ค๐ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ช๐๐ค ๐พ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ง, underscoring the importance of innovation-driven solutions in strengthening urban resilience.
Two plenary talks provided key insights into the evolving DRRM landscape. ๐ฟ๐ง. ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ค ๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ค๐จ discussed the transformative role of digital technologies in enhancing hazard preparedness and response, while ๐๐พ๐ฟ-๐พ๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ก ๐ฟ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐ค๐ง ๐ผ๐ก๐๐๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐๐ค๐ก emphasized the value of partnerships and education in building community resilience.
A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also presented, signaling deeper collaboration among stakeholders toward digital and innovation-led DRRM initiatives. The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Commitment and a collective pledge on the commitment wallโsymbolizing a shared vision for safer, smarter, and more resilient communities enabled by digital solutions.
The event aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly Indicator 16.2.4, by promoting engagement among government representatives, academic institutions, industry partners, and community stakeholders in discussions on digital solutions for natural hazard resilience. The proposed Memorandum of Understanding and the signing of a Memorandum of Commitment reflect efforts to establish collaborative mechanisms for addressing shared challenges. The initiative also supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Target 17.17, by fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Target 11.5, through its focus on strengthening disaster preparedness and reducing the impacts of natural hazards on communities. Furthermore, it contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Target 9.5, by promoting research, technological advancement, and digital innovation to improve hazard mitigation and resilience.
