Banda Aceh, October 29, 2025 — The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) convened the 36th TDMRC Seminar Series, titled “Portrait of Acehnese Family Resilience in Facing Three Phases of Crisis: Conflict, Tsunami, and Covid-19.” The event was conducted in a hybrid format at the Dr. Ir. M. Ridha, M.Eng Auditorium, attracting hundreds of participants attending both onsite and online, comprising academics, researchers, students, and social disaster practitioners.
Prof. Dr. Syamsidik
The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Syamsidik, S.T., M.Sc., Director of TDMRC USK, who underscored the significance of strengthening the social dimension within disaster studies. “The family constitutes the first line of defense during crises. When infrastructure collapses and the economy destabilizes, the family remains a fundamental space for recovery and endurance. Therefore, research of this nature is crucial to understanding the social resilience of Acehnese society,” remarked Prof. Syamsidik.
The seminar featured two distinguished speakers: Assoc. Prof. Nishi Yoshimi, Ph.D., from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University, and Prof. Dr. Ir. Agussabti, M.Si., IPU, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at USK. In her presentation, Dr. Nishi Yoshimi elaborated on the outcomes of a collaborative research initiative involving CSEAS Kyoto University, TDMRC, and the Master of Disaster Science (MIK) program at USK. The study documented the lived experiences and narratives of Acehnese families as they navigated three major crises, armed conflict, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our findings indicate that each family possesses its own framework of thought and value system that guides them through adversity. Strength often resides in social norms and spirituality, elements that tend to remain invisible within statistical data,” explained Dr. Nishi.
Both speakers, Prof. Dr. Ir. Agussabti, IPU and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nishi Yoshimi, along with Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari as a speaker.
Meanwhile, Prof. Agussabti presented his research on the model of Acehnese family resilience from a socio-cultural standpoint. He asserted that religious values, cultural traditions, and communal solidarity serve as the fundamental pillars enabling families to withstand the multidimensional pressures arising from successive crises. “The resilience of Acehnese society does not solely stem from robust infrastructure, but from families that persist and adapt in the face of each crisis,” emphasized Prof. Agussabti.
The discussion session that followed was marked by high levels of engagement from both onsite and online participants. Many attendees highlighted the policy implications of the research, particularly its relevance to community-based disaster mitigation and the role of family education in enhancing disaster preparedness. In conjunction with the seminar, USK also announced the commencement of its Doctoral Program in Disaster Science (DIB) in the current academic semester. The program represents a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening academic and research capacities in disaster studies across Indonesia. “Through the establishment of the Doctoral Program in Disaster Science, USK reaffirms its commitment to cultivating researchers and leaders who approach disasters not only from a technical perspective but also through social and humanistic lenses,” added Prof. Syamsidik.
The event concluded with reflections by Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari, who served as moderator and synthesized the key insights from the discussion. “Family resilience forms the foundation of societal strength. When families are resilient, communities become robust, and nations are better equipped to confront any future crisis,” she concluded.
This seminar served as a platform for academic reflection and interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, researchers, and practitioners, aimed at reinforcing Aceh’s social resilience and expanding USK’s contribution to the advancement of global disaster research.
