USK and UniRazak Successfully Organize CBDRR Summer Course

Universitas Syiah Kuala under the coordination of the Office of International Affairs, in collaboration with Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, successfully organized a Summer Course themed Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR): Strengthening Local Resilience through Participatory Approaches. The program was held from 20 April to 3 May 2026 through a combination of online and onsite learning activities. This initiative was supported by the World Class University (WCU) Program of USK through EQUITY funding, as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internationalization and global engagement.

The program was attended by 25 participants from both universities. One of the featured speakers was Muhamad Safwan Bin Zulkifli, an expert lecturer from UniRazak, who contributed through lectures and interactive discussions with participants. In addition, two lecturers from USK also served as speakers, namely Dr. Yunita Idris and Haekal Azief Haridhi, who delivered presentations on disaster mitigation and marine science.

Throughout the program, participants received various important materials related to disaster management, including disaster mitigation, climate change, best practices, mitigation strategies, and local initiatives in addressing disaster risks. Participants also actively engaged in case study discussions and group work sessions to deepen their understanding and strengthen their analytical skills.

As part of the experiential learning activities, participants joined field visits to several historical tsunami sites in Banda Aceh. The locations visited included the Aceh Tsunami Museum, escape building, tsunami mass grave site, PLTD Apung, Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, and the Boat on the Roof site. These visits provided participants with direct insights into the devastating impacts of disasters and highlighted the importance of sustainable mitigation efforts.

In addition, participants visited the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), disaster-resilient villages, Gampong Nusa, the Aceh Museum, and Sabang Island. These activities aimed to introduce local practices in strengthening community resilience against disasters.

The Summer Course concluded with a Closing Ceremony featuring group presentations by the participants. During the session, each group presented the analyses and solutions they had developed throughout the program. The event continued with the awarding of certificates as a form of appreciation for participants’ active involvement.

Through this program, it is expected that stronger collaboration between USK and UniRazak will continue to grow, while also enhancing the awareness and capacity of young generations in addressing disaster-related challenges through community-based approaches.