KDU to establish a Center for Disaster Management Research

First round of talks to establish a Center for Disaster Management Research was held between KDU and the Joint Center for Disaster Research of the Massey University, New Zealand with the participation of academics from both sides on 22^nd September 2020. A very fruitful and a lengthy discussion was held to identify the need and to discuss the way forward. Joining from New Zealand, Dr Raj Prasanna, The Deputy Director of Joint Centre for Disaster Research highlighted the need for greater engagement with all stakeholders for the greater management of disasters. He commended the role of armed forces in Sri Lanka for playing a pivotal role in disaster response and identified KDU to be the ideal place to establish a center for Disaster research. Joining the discussion, academics from three different faculties of KDU emphasized the need to establish a multidisciplinary center where research on the use of technology and ICT in disaster management & response could also be conducted.

Dr. R M N T Sirisoma Dr. W C D K Fernando Dr Lakshika Liyanage, Dr. N K Gunasekara, Dr. K R Ambepitiya Dr B Hettige, Ms W M K S Ilmini, Mr Sathees Mohan & Dr KMGP Premadasa participated the meeting from KDU, while Dr Raj Prasanna and Ms. Marion Tan joined from New Zealand.