Geographica 2020 three day webinar on Geography of Disaster Management

Date: 5th to 7th sept 2020

‘Geographica’ is an academic platform formed by the Geographical Research Forum and Alumni Association of the Department of Geography, Kannur University for organising programmes for the students of the department as well as outside.

In 2020 the Alumni Association conducted a three-day webinar series ‘Geographica 2020’, from September 5-7, on the ‘Natural Disasters in Kerala’ which covered the general situation, research possibilities and technical aspects of the natural disasters, mainly flood and landslides in Kerala.

Day 1

The programme was inaugurated by Dr Jayapal G, HOD, Department of Geography, Kannur University and was co-ordinated by Ms Krishnapriya, Joint secretary, the alumni association of the department. The first session was handled by Dr Sajin Kumar K S, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, University of Kerala on the topic “Natural Disasters in Kerala”. Dr Sajin Kumar, who has a vast knowledge and field experience in the field of natural disasters, especially landslides brought out a new way of presentation that have changed the pre-existed notion on how landslides can be studied. A detailed account of landslides in Kerala from 2000 till date had been explained with photographs. Dr Chithralekha, alumni member presented the welcome address and Mr Sangeeth M Sivadas (Alumni member), lecturer, Yuvakshetra College presented the vote of thanks.

Day 2

The second day’s session “Disasters and Geographical Researches” was engaged by Dr. Nandakumar, (Nandu) Head (Rtd.), Department of Geography, University College, Trivandrum who has more than 35 years of experience in Academics, social/policy research, and consulting in varying fields of Environment, Planning and Development. The session focussed on the research aspects of natural disasters, especially the recent floods of 2018 and 2019 in Kerala. The session provided a platform for all those young research minds on how to approach a disaster more scientifically and how could it can be used for future benefits. The welcome address and vote of thanks for the session were presented by Ms Archa Santhosh and Ms Reshma S S, alumni members.

Day 3

The last day’s session was handled by Sri. Anoop Aravind, Assistant Manager, KPMG India and also an alumni member of the department on the topic “Disaster Management and Geography”. The topic covered technological aspects the geography community can access, especially in the field of Geoinformatics. The session provided an opportunity for the young geography students to know more about various fields geographers can expertise besides academics. The welcome address was presented by Rose Maria Baby, alumni member and vote of thanks by Dr Akhil R, (Alumni Member) Assistant Professor, Himalayan University, Arunachal Pradesh.

The valedictory function of the programme was inaugurated by Dr T.K.Prasad, Associate Professor, Dept. of Geography, where various eminent geographers from the state and outside facilitated the quality of the sessions and the efforts taken by the alumni association for organising such a programme. Around 200 Participants; students, academicians and scientists, from various subjects and fields have attended the webinar and made it a great success and inspiration for future academic activities.

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