Potsdam. 29 November 2012.
Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, Philippine Ambassador to Germany, visited the University of Potsdam for a discussion on the current research partnership between the University of Potsdam (Chair of Hydrology and Climatology) and the University of the Philippines (National Institute of Geological Sciences – NIGS).
“This joint research project between Philippine and German institutions on flood forecasting is within the context of President Benigno S. Aquino’s Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards). As a country affected by frequent floods and other natural disasters, it is in our national interest to develop expertise in this field and sustain and expand this kind of research partnership with Germany,” said Ambassador Natividad.
(L-R) Prof. Dr. Patrick O’Brien, Catherine Abon, and Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad discuss the partnership between the Philippine and German universities.
Catherine Abon, a faculty member at the UP NIGS who is currently doing her doctoral dissertation at the University of Potsdam on flood forecasting using radar rainfall forecasting in the Marikina River Basin, facilitated the meeting and initiated the partnership between the University of Potsdam and the UP NIGS.
Prof. Dr. Axel Bronstert, Chair for Hydrology and Climatology at the Institute, gives an overview of the research work of the Flood Research Work at the Institute, including the research on flood forecasting in the Marikina River Basin.
Ambassador Natividad was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Axel Bronstert, Chair for Hydrology and Climatology at the Institute, and Dr. Regina Neum-Flux, who heads the International Relations Office and who represented the University President. Prof. Dr. Manfred Strecker provided an overview of the scope of the research and academic work of the Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, including their international courses on geo-governance. Ambassador Natividad also discussed with Dr. Regina Neum-Flux other possible areas of cooperation between Philippine educational institutions and the University of Potsdam.
Dr. Maik Heistermann, head of the Flood Research Group, gave a presentation on the UP2 or the Partnership between the University of the Philippines and the University of Potsdam. The research involves radar-based rainfall estimation, rainfall “nowcasting”, hydrological simulation and flood forecasting. The current nexus is the dissertation work of Ms Abon in the Marikina River Basin. Dr. Heistermann also discussed their assessment of the recent south-west monsoon (habagat) of August 6-9 2012 which claimed many lives in the Philippines.
The Philippine and German institutes have forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide the framework for the current research partnership. The MOU covers not only an exchange of scientific materials, equipment, and expertise but also opportunities for mutual research and visits of staff and experts. The MOU provides for deeper institutional involvement between the two “UP” institutes and was signed by Prof. Dr. Axel Bronstert and Dr. Carlos Primo David of UP NIGS.
The MOU and the research work of Ms Abon will be highlighted in the upcoming Ambassador’s fellowship and roundtable on education cooperation with stakeholders in the field. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is expected to attend the event. END
