ontianak – On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the Geophysics Department of FMIPA UNTAN, in collaboration with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Kalimantan Province, conducted a community service event aimed at raising awareness and preparedness for hydrometeorological disasters. The event took place at the BPBD meeting hall on Jln. Adi Sucipto, Pontianak, as part of ongoing efforts to create a resilient West Kalimantan.
This initiative was driven by the frequent occurrence of hydrometeorological disasters in the region, such as floods, landslides, and forest fires. Participants included staff from BPBD Prov. Kalbar, BPBD Kota Pontianak, BPBD Kab. Kubu Raya, village heads from Kab. Kubu Raya, and resilient village groups from Kab. Kubu Raya.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Azrul Azwar, head of the Physics Department, emphasized that this event is part of the department’s regular community service activities, reflecting the university’s commitment to the three pillars of higher education: education, research, and community service. He expressed hope for continued collaboration with BPBD, especially in the context of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) curriculum.
The event was officially opened by Judan, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of Prevention and Preparedness at BPBD Prov. Kalbar, who praised the collaboration and mentioned future plans such as mapping groundwater potential in Pontianak and providing internship opportunities for students at Disaster-Resilient Villages (DESTANA).
The community service event featured a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the first presentation by Muliadi, S.Si., M.Si., a lecturer from the Geophysics Department, who explained the characteristics of hydrometeorological disasters in West Kalimantan. He highlighted that the main causes of these disasters are climate change, extreme weather, sudden changes in air pressure, and phenomena like El Niño and La Niña in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Indian Ocean Dipole.
The second presentation was delivered by Judan, S.Pd., M.Pd., covering disaster management strategies. He noted that 471 villages and urban areas in 104 sub-districts in Kalbar are prone to flooding. BPBD Kalbar has taken proactive measures such as conducting pre-disaster training, providing logistical support and resources, and urging local governments to declare emergency flood statuses when necessary.
Separately, Dr. Dwiria Wahyuni, the curriculum coordinator of the Physics Department, welcomed the proposed partnership with BPBD and other agencies to implement the MBKM curriculum. She highlighted various opportunities for student involvement, including internships, research projects, community development initiatives, and entrepreneurship programs.
This event not only strengthened disaster preparedness but also reinforced the importance of university-community partnerships in addressing real-world challenges.
