NCKU and Kumamoto University Sign MOU for Disaster Prevention Collaboration

Written by Amy Lin. Image credit to NCKU DPRC.
 
On April 22nd, the Disaster Prevention Research Center (DPRC) of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Taiwan and the Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management (CWMD) of Kumamoto University in Japan held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at NCKU's Innovation Headquarters. The two centers will initiate collaborations in joint research, academic exchanges, and talent cultivation, marking an important milestone for cross-national cooperation. 

Prof. Hsiao-Wen Wang, Director of NCKU's DPRC, and Prof. Ryuji Kakimoto, Director of Kumamoto University's CWMD, signed the memorandum on behalf of their respective universities. Witnesses to the signing included Prof. Jun Otani, Executive Vice President of Kumamoto University; Prof. Masahide Matsumura, Laboratory Head of CWMD; Prof. Hiroshi Cho, Special Assistant to the President of Kumamoto University; Prof. Jian-Hong Wu, Vice President for International Affairs at NCKU; Prof. Shu-Jung Hu, Associate Vice President for International Affairs at NCKU; Prof. Yun-Chung Tsang, Deputy Director of DPRC; Prof. Yu-Shiu Chen, Chief of Planning Division; and Prof. Chih-Wei Huang, Chief of  Surveillance Division.
 
"According to the World Economic Forum's annual Global Risks Report, natural disasters and extreme weather events rank among the top four global risks," stated Prof. Hsiao-Wen Wang, Director of NCKU DPRC. "For over 25 years, NCKU's DPRC has collaborated closely with like-minded partners in Japan, learning from diverse disaster experiences. Now that we face increasingly complex disasters, mutual learning and joint responses are needed more than ever. This research collaboration is crucial for addressing these challenges. We hope that through mutual assistance and collaboration between the two centers, we can bring more innovation and progress to the field of disaster management. "

In his remarks, Prof. Ryuji Kakimoto, Director of CWMD, expressed empathy for those affected by the Hualien earthquake and extended condolences. "Like Taiwan, Japan faces numerous threats from natural disasters. We hope this opportunity will foster vibrant academic exchanges between the two centers, positioning us as a model for disaster prevention and mitigation research in Asia."
 
The signing of this MOU formally launches in-depth collaboration between NCKU's DPRC and Kumamoto University's CWMD in the field of disaster management. Broader cooperation in academic research, knowledge sharing, disaster prevention, and disaster response is expected, contributing significantly to advancements in this crucial area.