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“We will establish a special center for disasters”
![“We will establish a special center for disasters”](https://phoenix.ieu.edu.tr/betanix/images/uploads/haber/8995_1.jpeg)
Izmir University of Economics (IUE) organized a symposium titled ‘Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Commemoration and Disaster Awareness’ on the first anniversary of the February 6th earthquake disaster. In the symposium, consisting of three sessions with guest speakers who are experts in the field, the measures to minimize the damages caused by earthquakes were discussed. Delivering the opening speech of the symposium, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Hakan Abacıoğlu emphasized that Izmir and Turkey are at risk of earthquakes, and as a University, they have a responsibility in this regard. The Rector said, “We are working to establish a research and application center for disaster management, coordination, and risk reduction. We want to share our knowledge and experience through this center.”
The symposium, hosted by Izmir University of Economics, began with a moment of silence in memory of all the lives lost in the earthquake. A video presentation showing the earthquake disaster was also presented at the symposium. Nevzat Artkıy and Mehmet Tahir Özdemir, Vice Presidents of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Assembly, and Serdar Canko, a Member of the IUE Board of Trustees, also attended the symposium. The importance of first aid and emergency response, ‘common misconceptions’ leading to building collapses, and new technical applications were among the crucial topics discussed in detail at the symposium. Berfin Kolcu, a student from IUE Department of Physics, who went to Hatay after the earthquake to help disaster victims with her electric bicycle, also shared her emotions and experiences.
WILL BE OPEN TO THE WHOLE WORLD
IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “A year ago, unfortunately, we lost tens of thousands of lives. For those who survived, life will never be the same again. Both natural and human-induced disasters are the reality of our times. Our country and our city bear serious risks in terms of earthquakes and other disasters. Universities must take the lead, assume responsibility, and work to assess, reduce, and find solutions to these risks. We are aware of our responsibility. Our efforts to establish a research and application center for disaster management, coordination, and risk reduction are ongoing. Many academics at our University are working on various aspects of disasters. his center will collaborate closely with other centers in Izmir. It will be open to Turkey and the whole world. We will strengthen ourselves through collaboration and sharing.”