ASCENT Training Workshop and Discussion Forum
Wed, 10 May 2017 11:11:00 BST
ASCENT Training Workshop and Discussion Forum entitled “Research and Innovation Capacity Strengthening for the Development of Societal Resilience to Disasters” was successfully held from 27th February – 4th March 2017 at the University of Ruhuna Matara, Sri Lanka.
Photo: Senior Professor Gamini Senanayake, the Vice-Chancellor University of Ruhuna inaugurating the event
Senior Professor Gamini Senanayake, the Vice-Chancellor University of Ruhuna was the chief guest at the inauguration who also delivered an informative presentation related to focal areas for disaster resilience building in Sri Lanka.
Dr Nayana Alagiyawanna Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Professor K.L. Wasantha Kumara, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna; Principal Coordinator, Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga and co-coordinator Professor Richard Haigh of the ASCENT Project, Global Disaster Centre of University of Huddersfield and Co-coordinators of the ASCENT Project in University of Ruhuna, Professor (Emeritus) K.D.N. Weerasinghe and Professor C.M. Navaratne graced the occasion.
Photo (L to R): Professor (Emeritus) K.D.N. Weerasinghe, University of Ruhuna; Dr Nayana Alagiyawanna Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna; Professor Richard Haigh, Global Disaster Centre of University of Huddersfield; Senior Professor Gamini Senanayake, the Vice-Chancellor University of Ruhuna; Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga, Global Disaster Centre of University of Huddersfield; Professor K.L. Wasantha Kumara, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; Professor C.M. Navaratne, University of Ruhuna ADCENT Coordinator
This was the first of the training series planned throughout the ASCENT project period. The event provided participants world class training facilitated by international experts in the field of disaster resilience. The training sessions covered research methodologies, supplementary skills, as well as international cooperation and industry-university partnership.
Photo: during sessions
It is hoped that the sessions will strengthen the ability of higher education to respond to research needs in disaster resilience. ASCENT training programme has been developed based on a detailed analysis of existing capacity for disaster resilience among higher education institutions in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This has provided the basis for future capacity development activities. Workshop intends to strengthen academic staff with social, field and laboratory experimental research methodologies, other supplementary and skills on international cooperation. 75 academics across ASCENT partner countries attended the event.
Photo: event participants
ASCENT’s first training workshop was organised under the leadership of Professor Champa Navaratne (University of Ruhuna ASCENT lead) and Professor (Emeritus) K.D.N. Weerasinghe (University of Ruhuna).
Photo: (top) Professor Champa Navaratne (University of Ruhuna ASCENT lead)
Photo: (bottom) Professor (Emeritus) K.D.N. Weerasinghe (University of Ruhuna).
About ASCENT
ASCENT) research project is funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ scheme which aims to address Research and Innovation capacity strengthening for the development of societal resilience to disasters - supporting training, skills, leadership development, international collaboration and university-industry partnerships. It will strengthen the ability of partner HEIs to respond to their research needs in disaster resilience. It is led by Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga and Professor Richard Haigh at the Global Disaster Resilience Centre at the University of Huddersfield.
ASCENT will be empowering individuals and organizations with the skills, competencies and credentials needed to continue to pursue research, and to lead research at institutions in partner countries, aimed at reducing the impact of disasters. It will enhance the capacities of the partner HEIs in Asia to meet (match) the challenges and specific needs that characterize with R&I within the context of disaster resilience.
Please visit the project web site for more details: http://www.ascent.disaster-resilience.net
