BUP Disaster Management Forum (BUPDMF), under the supervision of the department of Disaster Management and Resilience (DMR), organised Disaster Management Exercise (DMX 2.0) on October 12 and 13 at the Bangladesh University Of Professionals (BUP) campus.
The Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam was present as the chief guest in the opening ceremony. In his speech, the mayor mentioned about major problems of the present time with three Cs: 1. Covid-19, 2. Climate Justice, 3. Conflict (Ukraine-Russia). Later, he shared his experience with Rana Plaza and the changes in the garments sector of Bangladesh. The mayor concluded his speech by emphasising making the staircases free of shops, proper installment of fire signs and equipment, and frequent fire safety drills.
With the agenda 'Fire Safety Regulation and Protection', 12 teams from six universities have participated in the Table Top Exercise (TTX). Team 'Ek Tukro Bangladesh' from BUP was crowned as the champion. Team 'Combustion' from the University of Dhaka and Team 'Phoenix' from BUP were awarded the first runner-up and the second runner-up respectively.
The Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam was present as the chief guest of the closing ceremony and awarded the prizes to the winning teams.
Former Project Director of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) Md Abdul Quayyum, Disaster Manager of Swedish Red Cross Aminul Haque, and Assistant Professor of DMR, BUP Dr Mostafizur Rahman acted as the judges of the competition.
When asked about the event, the President of BUPDMF Ashraful Islam Efti said, "When I took up this responsibility, I requested all my DMF members to work like a team always-- a team which sees the larger betterment for all before considering personal good. For the last two months, these people have worked with their best potential and made it work, DMX 2.0 is successfully concluded. Our department, Disaster Management & Resilience and our faculties keep us under their kind monitoring all the time and guide us through the thick and thin of their students."
Pro-VC of BUP Prof Dr Khondoker Mokaddem Hossain, Joint Secretary General of Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) Zakir Uddin Ahmed, Co-Founder, MD and CEO of Reactron Bangladesh Private Limited Mohammad Tanvir Hossain, Head of Burn Unit, CMH Col Dr Sayed Waheduzzaman, Dhaka along with officials from BUP, faculty members and students were present at the event.
The purpose of DMX 3.0 has been to prepare people to come up with solutions when disasters hit our homes. The event leaves eager participants with innovative ideas and a passion to solve crises when it is expected of them.
The writer is a student of Mass Communication and Journalism at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).
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