UNAIR NEWS听 (UNAIR) students of the Learning with Community (BBK) 7 International program held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with lecturers and students from Shizuoka University, Japan, on January 29, 2026. The activity took place on the second day of the UNAIR students arrival in Shizuoka Prefecture as a form of community engagement and support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in disaster management preparation and lectures.
The FGD was conducted after the students attended a session titled 淒isaster Prevention in Japan: Cases of The Great East Japan Earthquake & Shizuoka Prefecture, delivered by Dr Miki Mochizuki PhD, Assistant Professor at Shizuoka University. Through the session, they gained new insights into disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, and disaster response strategies in Japan. The knowledge served as important preparation for UNAIR students as they directly engaged with the community in Shizuoka and later shared their experiences with communities and fellow students in Indonesia to enhance risk awareness.
The FGD aimed to foster connections among students from different countries, explore disaster-related experiences, and deepen understanding of community preparedness, resilience, and disaster management. Throughout the discussion, the activities reflected alignment with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
UNAIR students were divided into six groups together with lecturers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and students from Shizuoka University. During the discussion, participants exchanged experiences related to natural disasters in their respective countries. One Shizuoka University student explained that each region in Japan experiences different types of disasters. 淚n Shizuoka, earthquakes occur frequently, while my hometown, Kyoto, experiences floods more often, the student said. UNAIR students also explained that Indonesia has conditions similar to Japan, with various disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods.
In the discussion on SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, participants compared disaster management systems in Indonesia and Japan, particularly in the context of disaster risk reduction, community preparedness, and post-disaster urban development. UNAIR students explained that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many disaster response initiatives in Indonesia utilized digital platforms, including online fundraising through various platforms.
The discussion on SDG 13, Climate Action, highlighted the role of governments and communities in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and strengthening climate resilience. Meanwhile, in SDG 4 Quality Education, participants emphasized the importance of disaster education, capacity building, and risk awareness as fundamental elements in building disaster-resilient communities. The discussion on SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being focused on emergency response, first aid, and attention to the mental health of disaster victims.
Although the FGD faced several challenges, such as language differences and participants limited initial knowledge, the activity proceeded well and achieved its intended goals. Not only did UNAIR students gain insights into disaster management systems in Japan and Malaysia, but they also had the opportunity to share challenges and gaps faced by their respective countries. Through this exchange of knowledge, each country can adopt relevant best practices and adapt them to local contexts to strengthen community preparedness and resilience against future disasters.
Author: Nayla Camelia May Amandadeny
