DHAKA, Oct 31, 2024 (BSS) - Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan today underscored the need for conducting research using modern methods and ideas to properly deal with natural disasters.

"Researchers, teachers, policymakers and all concerned should come forward and conduct befitting research to deal with natural disasters more accurately," he told a prize-giving ceremony of a competition titled "Disaster Hackathon 2.0" at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on DU campus . 
 
DU Disaster Science and Climate Resilience department, Meteorology Department, Forewarn Bangladesh and Open Mapping Hub-Asia Pacific jointly organized the Hackathon competition.

DU VC Dr. Niaz emphasized on using science and technology, allocating more funds for research and bringing out innovative ideas in dealing with natural disasters.

Bangladesh has several achievements in dealing with natural calamities, the VC said, adding, "The youths have to play a vital role in developing different strategies in disaster management."

Chaired by Start Fund Bangladesh Country Manager Sajid Raihan, the closing ceremony was also addressed by DU Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty dean Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed and Meteorology department Chairperson Dr Fatima Akhter.

Director of Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS of Jahangirnagar University Dr Md. Nurul Islam, meteorologist Bajlur Rashid, Start Network CEO Christina Bennett and Open Mapping Hub-Asia Pacific Regional Director Nama Budhatki also addressed the occasion. 

A total of 84 teams from different universities took part in the competition.

'Team Sidr' from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) secured top position while 'Team Sonderers' and 'Team Relief Tech Squared' from Dhaka University secured second and third positions respectively in the competition.