Disaster research HPU inks pact with Norwegian institute

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Norway, the world’s leading research institution in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

The collaboration will focus on joint research, training and capacity building in areas such as land subsidence monitoring, slope stability, landslide hazard mapping, flash flood risks and climate change adaptation.

Cutting-edge tools like InSAR-based deformation monitoring, UAV photogrammetry and AI-driven vulnerability assessments will be employed to develop innovative solutions for Himalayan terrains.

The joint meeting was attended by distinguished dignitaries from both institutions. Representing NGI were Dr Dominik H Lang, director, and Dr Sparsha Nabula, senior engineer. From HPU, the participants included Prof Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor; Prof Joginder Singh Dhiman along with others.

The V-C praised the newly-established Himalayan Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience for laying the foundation for such collaborations and emphasised that with international recognition, the Centre could now pursue funding opportunities from global agencies such as the World Bank.