| Biography | |
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 Prof. Hussain Aziz SALEH Ghent University, Belgium |
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| Title: Integrating disaster risk reduction into development management and planning activities to support disaster prevention and recovery | |
| Abstract:
With the improvement of innovative dynamic optimisation and geo-information technologies and integrating them into management and planning activities, it has become very important to determine the best possible operational solution that support disaster risk reduction. This integration, coupled with early warning systems for increasing protection measures, can provide a degree of functionality for spatial representation and quickly creating a best operational solution that account for the uncertainty present in the changing environment of these disasters. This solution is based on a proper planning and management that utilize the latest advances in science, technology and best available geospatial data and information. For example, with the help of advanced dynamic optimisation and geo-information, floods and other slow onset disasters can clearly be seen before they causes devastation. This enable people to prepare for what is about to happen and take necessary actions to minimise the expected damages and losses. Also, with the help of computer simulation and modelling, it is possible to predict the area affected under different emergency scenarios. However, the literature of the disaster risk management of the 21th Century has pointed out that there is a missing part in using this integration. Many scientific studies have considered the effects of these disasters, but few have searched for ideal solutions. Scientific research based on this integration is needed before (risk analysis, prevention, preparedness), during (emergency aid), and after a disaster (reconstruction) to understand its effect and dimensions. This will help and support disaster prevention and recovery security that determine how best to respond to the existing and potential losses.
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| Biography:
Hussain Aziz SALEH’s research activities represent a unique area of research which combines advanced ideas in the fields of artificial intelligence and operational research with modern geo-information technologies for optimisation real-life applications based on Disaster Risk Management (DRM). He has written numerous refereed journal articles which have established his international reputation in these fields. His more recent articles published in the world-leading journals (e.g., GPS solutions, GPS world, heuristics, global optimisation, engineering applications of artificial intelligence, geodesy, water, International Geo-informatics Research and Development Journal, etc.) are rapidly becoming seminal articles in the optimisation the use of geo-information technologies in the disaster risk management. He has a BSc in Civil Engineering (1987), Syria, and he spent the next five years as an executive site engineer at the Syrian Ministry of Housing and Utilities. His MSc (1996), and first PhD (1999), UK, were in the field of geomatic engineering and operational research. Most of his PhD work was included in the general report of the IAG titled “UK Research in Geodesy”. In October 2001, he joined IRIDIA at the Université Libre de Bruxelles to carry out his post-doctorate studies as a Marie Curie Fellow. His research activities, mostly conducted during the period (1999-2002) were included in the general report of the IAG titled “Belgian Research on Geodesy”. In 2004, he obtained an MSc (with distinction) in operational management & technology, Ghent University, Belgium. Since October 2005, most of his research activities combine early warning systems, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and the linkages between the environmental, regional, urban and spatial planning. In 2013, he awarded the Arab MENA Challenge of the European Satellite Navigation Competition, Germany. In November 2017, he obtained his second PhD thesis in the field of DRM, Ghent University. He co-organised several special academic sessions within the activities of the ISCRAM. Since April 2017, he is the General Director for the Higher Commission for Scientific Research, Syria
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