IIT Guwahati collaborates with ASDMA for Disaster Risk Reduction

The MoU signing was followed by the launching of the website (www.iitg.ac.in/cdmr) of Center for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR), IITG.

Prof T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, and G.D. Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, ASDMA, signed the MoU in presence of formal witnesses of Prof.

Sudip Mitra, Head of CDMR, IIT Guwahati, and Alakananda Medhi, State Project Coordinator, ASDMA & other faculty members of IIT Guwahati and officers of ASDMA.

Speaking during the event, Jogen Mohan, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Govt, of Assam, said, “This collaboration between IITG and ASDMA will lead towards strengthening Disaster Management strategy for Assam. I believe IITG and the Center for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR) would strengthen the State Disaster Management policies with its innovative and action oriented research and technical expertise. I assure my full support towards strengthening CDMR’s institutional capacity.”

The key objectives highlighted in the MoU signed by IIT Guwahati and ASDMA include - Capacity building for mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Case studies, Evaluation studies, Undertaking research projects/innovative activities, Publication of articles & awareness materials, Pilot projects in DRR area, Conducting & supporting consultation, knowledge and experience sharing.

Further, the Centre for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR) at IIT Guwahati will act as the nodal centre for research collaborations, training programs and projects in this domain.

During his address Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “The MoU signed by IIT G and ASDMA will help in enabling multiple research and innovation projects along with other progressive activities towards Disaster Risk Reduction. I request Chief Guest Jogen Mohan to support CDMR to become a Centre of Excellence not only in Assam or in this region but also as an International Hub for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management related innovation, research, capacity building and advocacy.”

Speaking during the event, G.D. Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, ASDMA, emphasized on the primary aspects of this collaboration like training and education on disasters, imparting awareness and innovation and research.

“This MoU will enhance the opportunities of the professionals of ASDMA for better training and also potential academic pursuits”, added Tripathi during his address.

Prof. Sudip Mitra, Head of CDMR, IIT Guwahati, apprised Minister about the initiative that CDMR is pursuing for the capacity development of all the SDMAs of North Eastern regions by seeking Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) technical support for capacity building & infrastructure development.

Along with attending the MoU signing event and launching the official website of CDMR, Chief Guest Jogen Mohan, also interacted with the Masters and PhD students of the centre. The chief guest also visited the CDMR office at the Technology Complex, and the structural engineering lab of IIT Guwahati.