Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) hosted Prof Hermann M Fritz from Georgia Institute of Technology as a visiting professor at TDMRC from October 17-28, 2022. This program is part of World Class Professor Program (WCP) 2022 sponsored by Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and LPDP of Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia. The program is coordinated by Professor Syamsidik (Director of TDMRC) who is the awardee for the program.
This is the second time Prof. Fritz visited TDMRC as a visiting professor after the first program in 2017. The objective of the visit is to strengthen collaboration between Prof. Fritz and a group of researchers at TDMRC and to finalize a joint publication.
During the visit, Prof. Fritz delivered a number of talks and discussion through a workshop, seminar, and guest lecturer. Prof. Fritz also conducted paper fine-tuning activities during his visit to finalize the joint publication with TDMRC researchers. Furthermore, Prof Fritz also gave scientific advices to a doctoral student who is conducting his research at TDMRC. Prof. Fritz conducted a courtesy visit to the Rector of USK, Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan at his office.
On October 22, 2022, a workshop on Development of Tsunami Researche and Experiments was conducted using hybrid mode. The workshop was conducted at Hermes Palace Hotel in Banda Aceh. Another speaker in the workshop was Dr. Semeidi Husrin from National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN). This workshop was moderated by Prof. Syamsidik. Around 50 parcipants from various institutions also attended the workshop through an online platform. The workshop discussed about various methods in performing tsunami laboratory experiments. Prof. Fritz elaborated a number of experiments such as landslide tsunamis and tsunami for a conical island (physical models). Some advanced sensors were used in the experiments including the use of Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV) camera.
The second main activity was a seminar on Development of Tsunami Mitigation in Indonesia. The seminar was conducted on October 24, 2022 at Hermes Palace Hotel in Banda Aceh. There were three main speakers who delivered their presentation during this seminar, namely Prof. Hermann M Fritz from Georgia Institute of Technology-US, Prof. Alison Raby and her group from University of Plymouth-the United Kingdom, and Prof. Syamsidik from TDMRC USK. This seminar was moderated by Dr. Ella Meilianda from TDMRC USK. Prof. Alison Raby was also accompanied by her research members, namely Keith Adam (Brunel University London), Marco Baiguera (University College London), and David McGovern (London South Bank University). This seminar was also jointly organized by TDMRC USK and Civil Engineering Department of USK. Fifteen participants attended on-site, while around 60 participants attended this seminar online.
The third main activity was a guest lecturer on Coastal Engineering and Tsunami Mitigation, conducted on October 26, 2022. There were two lecturers for this event, Prof. Hermann Fritz and Dr. Benazir from Gadjah Mada University. The event was moderated by Prof. Syamsidik from TDMRC USK. Both of the lecturers presented some fundamental concepts in tsunami mitigation and coastal engineering. Around 180 participants attended this guest lecturer through online platforms.
Aside from the main activities, Prof. Hermann M Fritz also gave some input to TDMRC in related to development of tsunami related research at TDMRC USK. In early 2023, TDMRC USK is expected to have a new constructed multi-functional wave flume. This flume is expected to be used for physical modelling using tsunami, waves, currents, and wind generators. Prof. Fritz highligted the importance of sensors used in the experiments in order to enable researchers to acquire a good data. 
Furthermore, Prof. Fritz also encourage TDMRC researchers to continue developing their scientific activities not only on research but also on documenting past event of tsunamis, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. During his stay in Banda Aceh, Prof. Fritz also visited some areas that were once severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
