[Kyoto, Japan] – The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Universitas Syiah Kuala, along with the Master’s Program in Disaster Science (MIK), the Aceh Tsunami Museum, and the Aceh Library and Archives Service participated in the Sakura Science Exchange Program organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at Kyoto University and supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The program took place from October 19-26, 2024, in Kyoto, Japan. Two representatives from USK, Dr. Rizanna Rosemary, a lecturer at MIK USK and researcher at TDMRC, and Rizka Puspitasari, S.Kom, IT staff at TDMRC and also a student at MIK USK, attended.
The program aimed to develop the capacities of young researchers, archivists, and librarians from Aceh in managing and disseminating disaster information using the latest technology. Over the week, the Aceh delegation had the opportunity to learn about the application of MemoryGraph, a technological innovation that enables digital documentation of disaster memories through photos showing conditions before and after disasters. This application is expected to support the efforts of documentation and disaster mitigation in Indonesia in a more effective and systematic manner.
Kyoto City Disaster Prevention Center
During the program, the delegation also conducted field observations at The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Museum in Kobe City, Japan, which preserves memories of the Kobe Earthquake on January 17, 1995. In addition to the museum, the team from Aceh and I also visited the CSEAS Library, the Kyoto City Disaster Prevention Center, the Kobe branch office of JICA, and The National Diet Library in Kyoto. Interaction with international experts and institutions with a high reputation in disaster management provided valuable insights and experiences that will positively impact the development of disaster management and mitigation capabilities in Aceh.
Dr. Rizanna Rosemary, the head of the Aceh delegation, stated, “This opportunity is not only a forum for exchanging knowledge but also a platform to strengthen international collaboration networks. We can bring home the best practices and the latest technological applications that will be extremely useful in our efforts to face and manage disasters in the future.”
The Sakura Science Exchange Program is a strategic step in promoting and enhancing local capacity to face disasters, aligned with the global commitment to building a more resilient and disaster-ready community.
Sakura’s team at Kyoto University
Sakura’s team at The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
