The opening ceremony was held for the Disaster Management Research and Application
Centre established within Erzurum Technical University (ETU).
The opening ceremony for the Erzurum Technical University Disaster Management Research
and Application Centre was attended by Güher Sinem Büyüknalcacı, Deputy Governor of
Erzurum, ETU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr Ceren Sultan Elmalı, Dean of the Faculty of Health
Sciences Prof. Dr Ayşe Gürol, Centre Director Dr Vildan Oral, METU Lecturer Prof. Dr Burçak
Başbuğ, AFAD Branch Director Tahsin Efe, as well as academics and representatives of public
institutions and organisations.
Deputy Governor Büyüknalcacı: Disaster Management Is a Holistic Process
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Güher Sinem Büyüknalcacı, Deputy Governor of
Erzurum, emphasised that disaster management is not merely a matter of responding to
crises, but a holistic process that must be addressed in conjunction with planning,
coordination and logistics. Noting that inter-agency cooperation directly impacts disaster
preparedness and response capacity, Büyüknalcacı stated that the harmonious collaboration
between local and central authorities is of critical importance.
Vice-Rector Elmalı: The Centre Serves as a Bridge Between Science and Practice
Prof. Dr Ceren Sultan Elmalı, referring to the centre’s establishment process, stated that the
Disaster Management Research and Application Centre is a significant institution that brings
together the production of scientific knowledge and field applications. Elmalı highlighted the
university’s emphasis on interdisciplinary work, noting that the centre is a concrete
manifestation of this approach.
Centre Director Oral: Disaster Risk Reduction Is Our Priority
Centre Director Dr Vildan Oral, an Assistant Professor, provided information on the centre’s
areas of work and stated that activities would be carried out in line with the objectives of
reducing disaster risks, developing response capacity and expanding educational activities.
Oral emphasised that collaboration with public institutions and stakeholders is one of the
centre’s core working principles.
METU’s Başbuğ: Sharing Experiences Is of Critical Importance
Prof. Dr. Burçak Başbuğ, a lecturer at METU, shared her experiences in the field of disaster
management, stating that lessons learnt from past disasters guide planning processes.
Referring to the challenges encountered in field applications and the approaches taken to
resolve them, Başbuğ highlighted the importance of academic knowledge being supported
by practical applications.

Following the opening programme, a “Workshop on Strategy and Coordination in Provincial
Disaster Response Planning” was organised in collaboration with the Erzurum Provincial
AFAD Directorate.
The workshop addressed the strengthening of inter-agency coordination in disaster
preparedness and response processes, the effectiveness of decision-making mechanisms
during disasters, logistics planning and resource management, and the development of field-
ready response plans. Participants also exchanged views on the evaluation of existing
disaster response plans and proposed solutions to challenges encountered in their
implementation.
The programme concluded following evaluation sessions and mutual discussions.
Corporate Communications and Public Relations Directorate 15 May 2026