Development of Post-Graduate Research and Degree Programs in Disaster Risk Reduction at New Institute on Disaster Prevention and Urban Safety

Develop course curriculum for post-graduate degree (Masters/Ph.D./Diploma) programs related to Disaster Reduction. Review of similar degree programs at various institutions at home and abroad will be done. Experts and disaster mitigation personnel will be consulted. The degree programs will place emphasis on the application of Engineering and Technology for Disaster Mitigation.

Specific Research tasks on disaster risk assessment topics will be undertaken with technical assistance of relevant experts from renowned institutions. This will improve the knowledge of participating faculty on disaster related subjects. Available state-of-the-art testing facilities of the institute will be used, funding from the project will be used to purchase accessories, build models and conduct experiments. Advanced software and software license will be procured which will vastly improve analytical capabilities of the faculty. Research reports and other publications will be prepared as outcome of these research activities:

Research Task 1: Develop earth model for deterministic seismic hazard assessment studies of Bangladesh. The earth model will be developed from complex inverse analysis procedures using digital earthquake records obtained within the country. Seismic hazard will be assessed using state-of-the-art computational methods of the physical wave propagation problem.

Research Task 2: Developing expertise on the use of various geophysical and geotechnical investigation techniques with state-of-the-art equipment (of the institute) for assessing site properties. This task will also include assessment of site effects on earthquake shaking.

Research Task 3: Improve procedures for health/vulnerability assessment of existing civil infrastructures (Buildings, bridges etc) using non-destructive test methods and dynamic testing facilities of the institute. Develop simplified procedures for preliminary screening of structures.

Research Task 4: Develop risk assessment procedures for different disasters including earthquake, landslides, cyclones, flood, 
and impact of climate change.

Research Task 5: Research related to human response during and the immediate aftermath of a disaster particularly human evacuation and safety aspects.

Establish an information centre (in the allocated library space of the institute) with interactive website targetted not only for engineers and personnel working in the field of disaster reduction but also for the general public.

Training of faculty members through interactive workshops and collaborative research. Dissemination of research results among other faculty members and practicing engineers through training programs and open seminars.

Organize an international conference on Disaster and Risk Reduction.

Establish research collaboration with leading universities/institutions of the world.