Dr. G.P. Ganapathy, an Applied Geologist of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University-Center for Disaster Mitigation and Management at Vellore, Tamilnadu, India conducted a series of lectures in MSU-IIT on August 30 to September 8, 2013.
Dr. G. P. Ganapathy
Ganapathy, who came to the Institute upon the invitation of the School of Graduate Studies, spoke on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to students from the College of Business and Accountancy, College of Education, College of Nursing, and to graduate students in the Sustainable Development Studies Program of the Institute.
Ganapathy had earlier been invited by Dr. Olga M. Nuneza, the former Vice Chancellor for Research & Extension, when the two met at an international conference in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ganapathy’s accomplishments in funded researches, consultancy projects, international and national research paper presentations in applied geology, disaster mitigation and management particularly involving earthquake and landslide hazards, and mining, and, as a managing editor and member of the editorial board of 13 international journals made him an excellent choice in sharing his expertise on disaster management to the MSU-IIT community.
The Indian visiting scientist spoke on various related topics on disaster management, at the same time, shared his case studies and experiences in India regarding the following topics—preparedness; database gathering; plans to benefit educational institutions; natural hazard management, planning and land use regulations; engineering solutions in hazard, vulnerability and risk assessments; analysis on earthquake damages; the application of traditional knowhow in community-based disaster management; and, on gender issues in disaster management.
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| Signing of the Memrandum of Understanding between VIT University and MSU-IIT on September 2, 2013 with Dr. G.P. Ganapathy representing the Chancellor of his University and Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol, representing MSU-IIT. |
Ganapathy capped his visit to the Institute by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as VIT representative with the MSU-IIT represented by Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Jinky B. Bornales, Dr. Edgar W. Ignacio, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. David N. Almarez, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and Dr. Polaus M. Bari, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance on September 2, 2013.
Among the important points in the MOU are the promotion of exchanges between students for study visits and trainings; joint participation in undergraduate, graduate and post graduate courses for credit and supervision of students’ theses and projects; a faculty exchange program in the planning and handling of courses, the organization of seminars and workshops and conferences and other mutual exchanges in teaching, research, and for industrial purposes; joint development of research and development programs and in publications and reports; and, other possible joint ventures in interdisciplinary areas of specialization relevant to both institutions.
School of Graduate Studies Dean Alita Roxas, Graduate Coordinators and Heads of DRRM-related Committees/Programs at the MSU-IIT Hostel Function Room
For her part, Prof. Hazel D. Jovita Coordinator of the OVCRE’s Center for Local Governance Studies (CLGS) gave the main features of the Philippine DRRM Law (RA 10121) and the DRRM activities in Iligan City and in MSU-IIT before the start of the lecture-series, the CLGS being mandated to mainstream Climate Change Adaptation: – Disaster Risk Reduction and Management principles.
The National Broadcasting Network during an interview with Dr. Ganapathy
— Liwayway S. Viloria, Sustainable Development Studies Program Coordinator for the OC-OPI