Banda Aceh, July 1, 2026 — The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), received an official visit from Muhammad Fajar Siddiek, Special Staff to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The visit forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to assess and support research infrastructure at leading state universities across Indonesia, with particular attention to institutions engaged in disaster risk reduction and mitigation science.
Muhammad Fajar Siddiek, Special Staff to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, together with USK officials, observes TDMRC’s tsunami wave flume, a facility used to physically model wave propagation and coastal inundation for tsunami research
As one of Indonesia’s foremost research centers on tsunami and disaster mitigation, TDMRC USK has spent nearly two decades building scientific and technical capacity in earthquake engineering, tsunami modeling, and community-based disaster preparedness — work that began in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and has since grown into a multidisciplinary research hub serving both national and international stakeholders.
The delegation reviews TDMRC’s shaking table facility, which simulates seismic loading on structural models to support research on earthquake-resistant building design and infrastructure resilience
During the visit, Fajar Siddiek and the accompanying delegation toured three of TDMRC’s core research facilities. The shaking table, used to simulate seismic loading on structural models, allows researchers to study how buildings and infrastructure respond to earthquake forces and to test the effectiveness of resilient construction methods. The tsunami wave flume enables controlled physical modeling of wave propagation and inundation, supporting research on coastal protection systems and validation of early warning systems. Meanwhile, the real-time earthquake observatory provides continuous seismic monitoring data that feeds into both academic research and operational early warning efforts for the region.
The delegation received a detailed briefing on the technical capabilities of each facility, as well as an overview of ongoing research projects and their relevance to national disaster mitigation policy. Discussions also touched on opportunities for closer collaboration between TDMRC USK and the Ministry, particularly in research funding schemes, postgraduate training in disaster science, and translating research outputs into policy recommendations.
The visit was attended by USK Secretary Prof. Dr. Nur Fadli, S.Pi., M.Sc.; Head of the Integrated Laboratory Unit (UPT. Lab Terpadu) Prof. Dr. Ir. Syarizal Fonna, S.T., M.Sc., IPM; Head of the Disaster Mitigation Unit and Director of TDMRC USK Prof. Dr. Muksin, S.Si., M.Si., M.Phil.; and Director of the Directorate of Planning, Partnership, and Business of USK, Dr. Ir. Afdhal, S.T., M.Sc., IPU.
Muhammad Fajar Siddiek and the accompanying delegation are briefed on TDMRC’s real-time earthquake observatory, which continuously monitors seismic activity
Through this visit, TDMRC USK hopes to reinforce its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in advancing disaster mitigation research at the national level. As Indonesia continues to face significant seismic and tsunami risks, particularly along the western coast of Sumatra, TDMRC USK reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining world-class research facilities, producing science-based recommendations for disaster resilience, and contributing to the country’s long-term preparedness for future earthquakes and tsunamis.
