FMIPA UI Students Win 2nd Place in National Disaster Essay Competition

Entering the industrial era of technology 4.0 which is marked by the integration of various branches of science with digital technology, allows the implementation of the production process to be easier and faster. No exception in terms of disaster mitigation. In an effort to overcome the risk of landslides, technology Geographic Information System (GIS) can play a role in landslide hazard mapping by analyzing spatial information.

In November 2021, Arrizqy Nadya Khairunissa (Geography 2019), won 2nd place in the Environmental Webinar Disaster Preparedness Essay Competition organized by the Environmental Recognition Unit (UKL) of Padjadjaran University 2021. The competition, which was held online, was open to the general public in Indonesia.

The essay competition carries two themes, namely Handling the Mental Condition of Post-Disaster Victims and Mitigating Landslide Disasters Due to Land Conversion. Meanwhile, the competition scheme that Nadya went through consisted of two stages, registration and submission of works and the announcement of the winners on the day of the webinar without a presentation session.

In an essay entitled "Utilization of GIS Technology in Landslide Mitigation Efforts to Realize Sustainable City Synergy in Indonesia", Nadya explained that one of the triggers for landslides is changes in land function. In Indonesia, land use can be said to be a real impact of a long-term process of constant interaction, balance, and dynamic conditions between population activities on land and limitations in the living environment. Meanwhile, factors that cause changes in land use can be interactions between the dimensions of space and time with biophysical and human dimensions.

Furthermore, Nadya also explained that the ideas she brought up in the essay emphasized the role of GIS technology.

"In an effort to minimize the impact of landslides, this can be done by recognizing the characteristics of vulnerable areas. Developments Geographic Information System (GIS) can provide accurate geospatial data information and explain an accurate analysis system, so that it can be used as a mitigation effort to prevent risks that have the potential to become disasters or minimize losses from disasters that occur," said Nadya explaining her idea.

The relationship between disaster mitigation and sustainable urban planning can be reflected in one of the objectives Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is the 11th goal. In the eleventh goal, world leaders agreed to help build inclusive, safe, durable, and sustainable cities and settlements. In her idea, Nadya assured that the role of GIS technology in realizing this goal is by looking at the level of risk and vulnerability of communities in disaster-prone areas.

In addition, Nadya also shared her main motivation in participating in the competition was to implement the material she had learned in lectures. The challenges she faced were also not a problem because her passion for writing made her even more enthusiastic in writing her essay.

"As for motivation, I really want to pour out the knowledge I have learned into writing that can be seen by many people. I hope that my knowledge can also be enjoyed by the public, so No stop with me,” said Nadya about her motivation.

Closing the discussion session, Nadya advised all FMIPA UI students not to hesitate to contribute even the smallest amount to the wider community. One way is to provide ideas or thoughts that can be channeled through various competitions. In addition, there will be many benefits to be gained, such as training the ability problem solving, critical thinking, and many more.

The 2021 Environmental Webinar “Disaster Preparedness” Essay Competition is a national-level competition organized by the Environmental Recognition Unit (UKL) of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Padjadjaran University. The competition has two themes that can be chosen by participants, namely Handling the Mental Condition of Post-Disaster Victims and Mitigating Landslide Disasters Due to Land Conversion.

As for timeline The competition is Registration and Submission of Works (1 – 11 November 2021) and Announcement of Winners (13 November 2021) which will be announced live via Zoom Meeting during the main webinar.

News source: https://sci.ui.ac.id/