Networking Report - University of San Carlos, Cebu City

University of San Carlos (USC), Talamban Campus, Cebu City,

Civil Engineering Department Conference Room

September 02, 2016,  09:00 am- 10:45 am

In attendance:

Chairman Janice B. Jamora, Chairman  CE Department

Prof. Ric Fornis- Asst. Dean, College of Engineering

Prof. Alex Melchor- Hydraulics and Water Resources Division Head

Engr. Jerry B. Maratas - Faculty

Dr. Lessandro Garciano – CE Chairman

Dr. Renan Tanhueco – DR&RR Unit Leader

• 1.      The meeting started with Dr. Garciano giving a brief presentation of CESDR and the DR&RR unit and the purpose of the visit. Dr. Garciano discussed about the Sub-center’s interest on academic/research cooperation and collaboration and that its main strengths and interests are in the hazard and risk assessment and in DRR  integration in local government plans and processes.

• 2.      USC CE department is less familiar with government processes but are active in participating in scientific studies using LiDAR based technologies. They also get involved in meetings with local and national government, when invited.

• 3.       Prof. Fornis suggested the idea of a consortium of several schools to deal with research challenges and addressing current development problems. Dr. Tanhueco mentioned about the proposed collaboration with XU-ERC under Director Lo and he expressed his view that it is best to limit the arrangements among the three schools and support each other in developing competencies, capacities in scientific studies and in integrating outputs into development plans.

• 4.      Prof. Alex Melchor suggested studies on the rainfall-infiltration- run-off process modeling as an initial area to be studied in Cebu.

• 5.      Prof. Garciano also expressed interest in conducting studies on risk and reliability of water systems against earthquakes. This is to continue studies of this nature in many other water district’s waterworks system.

• 6.      Both parties agreed to have an initial meeting with Dir. Lo, sometime in Sept 22 where Dr. Garciano and Dir. Lo will be attending and presenting papers at the 6ACEE (6^th Asia Conference in Earthquake Engineering) in Cebu City. The USC, XU_ERC and DLSU CESDR subcenter will try to short list possible research areas and come up with a concept note of the research.

• 7.      In a separate occasion, Dr. Garciano met with Dean Taboada to discuss possible funding sources such as the UK Newton Fund and US Stride.

Prepared by:  Dr. R.Tanhueco

    Reviewed by: Dr. Garciano