Assoc. Prof. Elçin TAN, a faculty member of Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in the Department of Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering, along with three students actively involved in the ITU Aqua Team, participated in the training program titled "UPM165 Challenges in Geohydrological Risk Management," held in Madrid from November 18–22, 2024 as an activity of the water in an area of change EELISA Community. Coinciding with the Athen Week, this event brought together experts and students from across Europe to develop more effective disaster response methods, particularly for floods, and to raise public awareness.
The event, hosted at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), featured a packed schedule of various presentations, interactive games, and training sessions throughout the five days. The presentations covered a diverse range of critical topics such as flood hazard risk management, crisis communication, remote sensing, collaborative mapping, and raising public awareness about disasters. This comprehensive coverage provided participants with up-to-date insights into different phases of disaster management and allowed them to share their experiences.
The organizer and one of the key contributors to the program, Prof. Carlos Parades from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, taught participants how to conduct risk analysis using the Iber software, applying challenge-based learning skills. Another significant contributor to the EELISA Mobility project, Prof. Christian Gabriel from the Mechatronics Department of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, informed participants about the use and development of robots in disaster management. Assoc. Prof. Elçin TAN delivered a lecture titled "Resilience - Real Experiences," which she co-prepared with Prof. Mikdat Kadıoğlu.
At the end of the training, participants are evaluated by a jury for challenging project assignments. The event not only equipped students with techniques to handle challenges but also provided academic and practical knowledge, strengthened collaborations in disaster management, and offered participants valuable networking opportunities, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
The ITU Aqua Project Team, with Assoc. Prof. Elçin TAN, their mentor, and Prof. Sevinç ASİLHAN, their co-mentor, aim to continue their efforts within the scope of EELISA mobility projects.
