UMY Highlights the Role of Universities in Disaster Mitigation: Bridging Science and Policy
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has highlighted the role of universities in disaster mitigation. UMY encourages higher education institutions to bridge science and policy in the field.
This was stated by UMY’s Vice Rector for Quality, Reputation, and Partnerships, Slamet Riyadi, during the opening of the 9th Annual Scientific Meeting (PIT) of the Indonesian Association of Disaster Experts (IABI) at the UMY campus on Wednesday (6/5).
Slamet said that the forum is not merely an ordinary academic space. According to him, the 9th PIT must be able to produce concrete and applicable recommendations, not just ideas that remain on paper.
“We hope to build closer collaboration among stakeholders and produce policy recommendations that are not only conceptual but also implementable and have real impacts on enhancing the resilience of Indonesian society,” Slamet said in a written statement received by detikJateng on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
Slamet also highlighted the increasingly complex changes in the nature of disaster threats. According to him, universities cannot merely produce research but must also bridge research outcomes with public policy-making processes.
Slamet emphasised that UMY is not only the host of the event but is also committed to developing research, knowledge, and community service on strategic disaster issues, sustainability, and government governance.
“Disaster management approaches are no longer sufficient to be merely responsive but must transform towards more adaptive, collaborative, and data-based governance,” he stressed.
According to Slamet, data-based approaches and cross-sector collaboration are essential elements in building a stronger national disaster system. Therefore, there needs to be strengthened synergy between academics, government, business, and society on an ongoing basis.
Through this approach, UMY aims to play a strategic role in the national disaster management ecosystem, while strengthening the contribution of universities in producing science-based solutions.
Slamet also highlighted the importance of the momentum commemorating two decades of the 2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake as part of the 9th PIT IABI series. He emphasised that this commemoration is not just ceremonial but also a space for reflection to strengthen future disaster mitigation and preparedness systems.
“Lessons from the past must serve as the foundation for building a stronger disaster system in the future,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, IABI General Chair, Prof. Harkunti P. Rahayu, stated that disaster risks are no longer purely natural.
“Disaster risks are no longer solely natural but are heavily influenced by development decisions, governance, and our society’s adaptive capacity,” said Harkunti.
This view is the reason for choosing the theme of the 9th PIT, ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for Resilience’.
For IABI, this theme represents the need for Indonesia’s disaster management system to shift from purely reactive approaches to planned, data-based governance involving decision-makers at all levels.
According to Harkunti, this paradigm shift is urgent because Indonesia is facing increasing complexity in risks.
“Factors such as climate change, urbanisation rates, environmental degradation, and development policies that do not always consider risk dimensions are part of an ecosystem that exacerbates societal vulnerability. This goes far beyond mere geological or hydrometeorological threats,” she added.
In this context, the 9th PIT is designed as a convergence space for cross-actors. The forum brings together academics, government, business, and society as an approach reflecting the belief that effective disaster governance cannot be built by one sector alone.
“The 9th PIT is held coinciding with the 20th anniversary commemoration of the 2006 Yogyakarta and Central Java Earthquake. For IABI, this momentum is not merely ceremonial but a stark reminder that two decades have passed, and the homework on strengthening the national disaster system is not yet complete,” Harkunti concluded.
The event is supported by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and the Special Region of Yogyakarta Government.
The forum is attended by around 500 participants from across Indonesia and runs for three days. It marks the first time in the history of PIT IABI since the organisation was established in 2014.