Banda Aceh, Thursday, 20 August 2026 — Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), held a meeting with the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) at the BPBA meeting room. The meeting discussed potential collaboration between academia and government to pursue more comprehensive disaster mitigation efforts in Aceh Province, while also introducing one of TDMRC’s flagship research products developed to support emergency response logistics. The TDMRC team, led by TDMRC Director Prof. Muksin, was received directly by the Head of BPBA, Bahroni Bakti, S.T., M.T.
Delegation in attendance
Accompanying the TDMRC Director at this audience were a number of TDMRC researchers and staff, including:
- Dr. Alfi Rahman — researcher, Knowledge Management and Disaster Communication Division
- Dr. Satriana — researcher, Emergency Food Security Division
- Dr. Dedy Alfian — researcher, Water Disaster Management Division
- Dr. Evalina — researcher, Disaster Resilience Infrastructure Division
- Dr. Miftah — researcher, Disaster Strategic and Risk Governance Division
- Eka Oktavianus, M.Si. — Office Manager
- Dr. Ikramullah Zein — Laboratory Technician
- Aulia Khalqillah, M.Si. — Laboratory Technician
- Mhd. Mardianto, S.Kom. — Media Team
From BPBA, the audience was also attended by:
- Bobby Syahputra, S.E., M.Si. — Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division
- Fazli, SKM, M.Kes. — Junior Disaster Analyst, Prevention and Preparedness Division
Multidisciplinary collaboration for more comprehensive disaster mitigation 
During the audience, Prof. Muksin explained that the purpose of the meeting was to establish potential collaboration between the academic sector and government toward more comprehensive disaster mitigation, by integrating a multidisciplinary approach — ranging from the earth sciences (hard science) to the social sciences (social science) — and involving the empowerment of local communities in disaster risk reduction efforts, particularly in Aceh Province.
The Head of BPBA, Bahroni Bakti, welcomed the idea and viewed it as a promising potential collaborative program between TDMRC and BPBA that is expected to have a tangible impact on the community.
Lessons from the Cyclone Senyar hydrometeorological disaster
The meeting also served as a moment to review the steps that need to be improved and updated in disaster risk reduction efforts, particularly for hydrometeorological disasters. As a point of reference, at the end of 2025 several provinces in Sumatra experienced a hydrometeorological disaster in the form of significant flooding, triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar, with Aceh Province among the affected regions. That experience became one of the reference points in the discussion on strengthening preparedness and future response. 
Introducing an emergency response logistics product: ready-to-eat sterile rice
During the same occasion, Dr. Satriana of TDMRC introduced BPBA to one of TDMRC’s flagship research products, namely ready-to-eat sterile rice, developed as a solution to meet the food logistics needs of evacuees during emergency response periods. The product is intended to offer disaster-affected communities an alternative so they do not have to continuously rely on instant food such as instant noodles.
BPBA responded positively to the product and identified an opportunity for further collaboration with Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) at the district/city level across Aceh Province, with BPBA acting as coordinator within that collaborative scheme.
