Higher Education Ministry Strengthens Disaster-Prone Campuses to Develop Laboratories

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) has strengthened several universities in disaster-prone areas to develop disaster-management laboratories.

“These laboratories will not only function as centres for research and technology development, but also as coordination forums for other nearby universities,” Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Fauzan said in Darussalam, Banda Aceh, on Monday.

After delivering a scientific address at the open session marking the 65th anniversary of Syiah Kuala University (USK) at AAC Dayan Dawood, he explained that the presence of disaster-management laboratories in high-risk areas would enable nearby universities to participate directly in addressing disasters.

He said tackling social issues was considered just as important as achieving academic success.

On the occasion, he also called on universities to build closer ties with all stakeholders, including local government, businesses and industry, because campuses form an integral part of society.

“Universities do not stand alone or exist outside the community ecosystem, because a campus is an integral whole,” he said.

He also hoped universities would continue to make a tangible difference to the public across a range of social issues, including disaster preparedness.