Undiksha Declares Disaster Preparedness Campus

Singaraja- Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) has established itself as a disaster preparedness campus. This disaster preparedness campus was declared directly, Tuesday (28/3/2023). The declaration was attended by the Director of Disaster Mitigation of the National Disaster Management Agency or Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan.

Earthquake disaster management was simulated in this declaration. Several students who were visiting the library were scattered outside the room. Some were evacuated using stretchers and had to receive medical treatment.

Undiksha is the second campus to declare itself as a Disaster preparedness Campus in Bali, after Warmadewa University. The director of Disaster Mitigation of BNPB, Berton Panjaitan, appreciated this declaration. According to him, Indonesia is very vulnerable to various disasters. To overcome and handle, it is not limited to the affairs of the central government and local governments but also needs the role of universities. “So what was declared by Undiksha, we really appreciate,” he said.

He further explained that there are several things that universities can contribute to disaster management. Academics can play an active role in collecting information or data through research on disasters. The data is considered very important to be used as a basis by the government in making policies. Meanwhile, students, who are future leaders, can increase their understanding of potential disasters in Indonesia. In addition, he also emphasized that universities, which are very close to the community, can make disaster management part of the community empowerment program. He also hopes that after this declaration, Undiksha can carry out other programs with related stakeholders per central disaster management policies.

The Chief Executive of BPBD Bali, I Made Rentin, who was present on this occasion, also appreciated Undiksha’s commitment which has established itself as a disaster preparedness campus. Through this declaration, he, who was accompanied by the Chief Executive of BPBD Buleleng, I Putu Ariadi Pribadi, hopes that in the future, collaboration in disaster management can increase. “Law No. 24/2007 on Disaster Management mandates that disasters are a common concern. When talking in the management sater, there is a collaboration pentahelik, where the local government is assisted by community elements, the business world, academics, and the mass media. Today, there are elements of higher education, namely Undiksha declaring a disaster preparedness campus as the second campus in Bali to declare the same thing, “he said.  

He hopes and has high optimism that Undiksha will be able to become a pilot project for universities in Bali as a disaster preparedness campus. “The hope is that all universities in Bali will do the same, imitating what Undiksha is doing today, the Disaster Alert Campus Declaration,” he hoped.

Hopefully, this declaration can continue to be followed up with actual activities regularly, such as conducting self-training, institutional training, and management training on disaster resilience. “The Governor has set HSB (Disaster Simulation Day), every month on the 26th, all components of Balinese society, including universities we urge to carry out simulations. Because simulation is to train yourself, train your readiness to face all possible disaster threats that may occur in Bali,” he added.

Meanwhile, Undiksha Rector, Prof. Dr. I Nyomah Jampel, M.Pd., stated that his commitment to declare Undiksha as a disaster preparedness campus is inseparable from the potential for disasters in the Bali region, especially in Buleleng Regency which is the location of the campus. In addition, this declaration is also a form of support for the vision of the Governor of Bali, “Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali”. “Because the real principle of the disaster preparedness declaration is to save people,” he explained.

As a form of sustainable implementation of this declaration, in the future, Undiksha, through the Institute for Research and Community Service, will strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders in disaster studies and the implementation of disaster care programs. (hms)