The first Disaster Preparedness Workshop at Sabancı University brings together academic researchers and field practitioners to address critical challenges in disaster management. Scheduled for 16 May at the Tuzla Campus, this event is designed as a collaborative platform to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the preparedness and response phases of disasters.
Our mission is to foster open dialogue, share practical experiences, and collectively develop actionable solutions that can enhance disaster resilience. In light of the devastating Kahramanmaraş earthquake in 2023, the workshop particularly encourages participants to reflect on real-world relief efforts, logistics challenges, and coordination strategies.
By creating a space where success stories and operational difficulties can be shared candidly, we aim to strengthen collaboration between academia and practitioners. Together, we strive to build more adaptive, responsive, and effective disaster preparedness systems for the future.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory. For registration, Please see the registration Tab.
If you have any questions, please contact us at afetehazir@sabanciuniv.edu.
Time
Event
09:00 - 09:45
Registration & Welcome Coffee & Snacks
09:45 - 10:00
Workshop Opening
10:00 - 11:00
Keynote Speech - Professor Haluk Özener, AFAD Director of Disaster and Emergency Directorate of İstanbul, Professor and former Director of Kandilli Observatory at Bogazici University. Title: Practitioners Challenges and Academic Solutions
11:00 - 11:30
Talk 1 - Nasuh Mahruki, AKUT Foundation Title: Search and Rescue
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 - 12:30
Talk 2 - Prof. Sibel Salman, Koç University Title: Humanitarian Logistics
12:30 - 13:00
Talk 3 - Melsen Tunca, Toktut Foundation Title: Earthquake Zone Sustainable Drinking Water Project
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch & Poster Session
14:30 - 15:00
Talk 4 - Selçuk Tütüncü, Disaster Coordination Center - Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Title: Disaster Preparedness for Istanbul
15:00 - 16:00
Panel Discussion - Moderated by Prof. Burcu Balçık
16:00 - 16:30
Closing
We invite all interested individuals to participate in the workshop. Participation is free of charge; however, registration is mandatory. The application deadline is 10 May 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact us at afetehazir@sabanciuniv.edu
Please click the registration link below to participate in the Disaster Preparedness Workshop 2025.
We invite students and researchers to submit their research as a poster. Presentations can be in either Turkish or English. All submissions will go through a selection process, and you will be notified of the outcome. If your poster is accepted, we will provide the specific size requirements.
The application deadline for posters is 5 May 2025.
