NEWS

18 May 2020

THINKlab Launch: MOBILISE 2.0

The University of Salford's THINKlab is pleased to announce the launch of the MOBILISE digital platform version 2.0 with a range of new features for supporting disaster risk reduction and response for natural disasters.

MOBILISE 2.0 offers a scalable digital platform with a user-friendly interface, allowing agencies to upload and explore hazard, exposure and vulnerability data in an interactive manner to establish a common understanding of their local risks and implement disaster risk reduction actions. The underlying risk information server runs on an Azure cloud service and the new visual interfaces allow agencies to access risk information remotely via tablets, touch tables, workstations or mobile phones, thus enhancing capabilities for agencies to implement a collaborative approach in disaster risk reduction and response.

MOBILISE 2.0 comes with a VR interface, based on the Unity game engine, in addition to a browser-based interface. This novel VR interface allows the user to visualize 3D city representation as textured point clouds or meshes which are captured from airborne sensing devices such as drones. This development enhances the capability of the MOBILISE platform when itis used during the disaster response phase, as well as the post disaster reconstruction phase.

The MOBILISE digital application, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), allows disaster management centres to combine vulnerability, exposure and hazards' information from multiple agencies to create a comprehensive understanding of the risks in their country and to undertake disaster mitigation actions as well as prepare and respond to disasters.

Ben Monaghan, MOBILISE lead Software Engineer said: "MOBILISE 2.0 has been redesigned with a scalable architecture and reconfigurable user interface allowing the agencies to create a bespoke solution to suit their own disaster risk management practices. The platform has been implemented using advanced software toolkits to achieve performance and ease of use while enhancing the learnability, efficiency and effectiveness of the overall platform."

Professor Terrence Fernando, Director of THINKlab said "The THINKlab team has been working tirelessly over the last few months to produce MOBILISE 2.0 which is a state-of-the-art digital platform for conducting disaster risk reduction and response activities. We now plan to make the MOBILISE 2.0 version available to countries other than our current partner countries – Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Malaysia. This will allow us to accelerate the uptake of the MOBILISE platform and create a greater impact around the world in saving lives through intelligence driven based disaster preparedness and response activities."

The MOBILISE platform is targeted at helping various governments to implement the Sendai Framework Priority 1: 'Understanding Risks' and Priority 2: 'Risk Governance,' as established by the United Nations.

Led by the THINKlab Director, Professor Terrence Fernando, the digital platform creates an infrastructure which offers intelligence to multiple stakeholders who can work together to help reduce the impact of natural disasters on their local communities. Set up in May 2017, the project is due to be completed in December 2020. For more information visit.

28 February 2020

THINKlab handover the MOBILISE digital platform to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre and National Building Research Organisation.

The MOBILISE team visited Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to ensure the smooth handover of the new MOBILISE digital platform for strengthening their disaster risk reduction activities

This visit to Sri Lanka allowed the MOBILISE team to work with the technical and operational teams within both DMC and NBRO to integrate the MOBILISE platform within their existing technical infrastructure and to demonstrate how the MOBILISE platform can be used to upload exposure data and hazard information to establisha deeper understanding of the local risks and implement risk governance strategies.

The donated MOBILISE platform runs on a high-performance computer and uses a state-of-the-art digital touch table to allow multi-agency teams to work together to explore local risks and implement disaster risk reduction strategies, as well as use as an interactive knowledge base for responding to disasters. The research work and donation of the platform have been possible due to the funding received from the UKRI (EPSRC) and Global Challenges Research Fund in UK.

The platform which supports disaster risk reduction strategies and response will eventually help DMC to reduce the impact of natural disasters (such as flooding and landslides) and is the result of two years of research and development work by the THINKlab at the University of Salford and its partners in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan.

The Principal investigator of the MOBILISE project and the Director of the THINKlab, Professor Terrence Fernando, met with Ms. Anoja Seneviratne, Director for Mitigation Research and Development, Brigadier Athula Ariyarathna, Director of the Emergency Operation Centre from DMC and Dr. Asiri Karunawardene, Director General of NBRO along with several other Directors to demonstrate the MOBILISE platform and provide initial training for the staff.

Professor Terrence Fernando said: "This is the first step towards bringing digital innovation to the current disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster response practices in Sri Lanka. We hope to work closely with the DMC and NBRO team to further enhance the functionality of the MOBILISE platform to ensure the platform is fit for purpose for their DRR and disaster response activities. My hope is that the MOBILISE platform becomes the national platform for DRR and disaster response activities in Sri Lanka and other countries in the region."

Initiated in May 2017, the MOBILISE project is due to be completed in December 2020. However, new funding received from GCRF has now allowed the team to continue this work for another three years.

17 and 18 December 2019

Prof Terrence Fernando presents keynote at Sri Lanka's prestigious NBRO Annual Research Symposium.

The University of Salford's THINKlab Director, Professor Terrence Fernando was recently invited by Sri Lanka's National Building Research Organisation's to make a keynote speech at their 10th Annual Research Symposium.

The event took place on 17 and 18 December 2019 at the Hotel Galadari in Colombo and was attended by more than 400 delegates who are involved with disaster risk reduction activities across Sri Lanka. Senior dignitaries included Major General Kamal Gunaratne, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence who was the chief guest, and Trine Jøranli Eskedal, the Ambassador for the Royal Norwegian Embassy who was the guest of honour.

The theme of the symposium was 'Equitable Resilience' and Professor Fernando's keynote speech highlighted the importance of 'Technology Enhanced Adaptive Governance to Support Equitable Resilience.' The keynote included findings and recommendations from both the MOBILISE and TRANSCEND projects where Professor Fernando is the Principal Investigator of each project and leads a team of partners in Salford, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan. Funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), MOBILISE focuses on LMIC communities in disaster prone areas who are regularly affected by natural disasters such as flooding, landslides and earthquakes. Similarly, TRANSCEND focuses on risk sensitive urban development and equitable resilience.

During the symposium, Prof Fernando launched the MOBIISE platform which has been donated to the NBRO and Disaster Management Centre for enhancing the disaster risk reduction and disaster response activities.

The two-day event included panel discussions with industry experts and academics who contributed their experiences across the field of disaster reduction. The technical sessions discussed landslide risk reduction and building research which are aligned with the NBRO's key objectives.

The event was jointly organised by the NRBO, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) and the University of Salford as the academic partner.

Geomatics & Geospatial Technology Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The MOBILISE project will be involved with organising several key workshops at this year’s annual Geomatics & Geospatial Technology Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Taking place between 3 & 5 September at The Park Royal Hotel, the three-day event will focus on Geospatial and Risk Management.
Professor Terrence Fernando and Dr Che Zulkhairi Abdullah from the University of Salford’s THINKlab will present a workshop on Disaster Risk and Resilience as part of the opening day. Professor Fernando will also chair two further forums, which include senior panelists from government, environmental and educational organisations.
The second day will see Professor Fernando deliver a keynote speech which overviews the MOBILISE project and the wider stakeholder engagements in Sri Lanka. Dr Abdullah will be part of an invited talk to discuss A Concept for Smart City Systems.
The events which support this year's conference themes will introduce the MOBILISE project to a wider audience, as well as strengthen and update their current understanding. A larger Director Generals’ Conference is planned for October in Kuala Lumpur and aims to start a collaborative approach for disaster risk reduction in Malaysia.
Read more about the Geomatics & Geospatial Technology Conference agenda. Conference programme

Friday, 27th April, 2018

Mr. Dulcidio Coelho, Technical Director of the THINKlab visited to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the Multi-agency Emergency Coordination and Control Room at Liverpool. The visit was organised as a part of the 2018 Korean government’s study tour on digital disaster risk and resilience governance and multi-agency collaboration in the UK (25th April to 01May, 2018). The event was jointly organised by the THINKlab, University of Salford and the National Civil Defence and Disaster Management Training Institute, Ministry of Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in partnership with Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services, LONDON RESILIENCE Group based at the London Fire Brigade, and Public Health England, United Kingdom.

Korean government delegation is keen to explore joint collaboration with the MOBILISE project activities in Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Thursday 26th April, 2018

A high-level government delegation from the National Civil Defence and Disaster Management Training Institute, Ministry of Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) visited the THINKlab on 26th April 2018.

Prof. Terrence Fernando welcomed the fourteen-member Korean government delegation. The main objective of the visit was to exchange knowledge on digital disaster risk and resilience governance and multi-agency collaboration and explore future joint research and enterprise opportunities for making safe and resilient cities and communities around the world. Senior Fire and Rescue Officials from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also delivered presentations in the seminar.

Tuesday, 27th March, 2018

The MOBILISE project team, University of Salford in partnership with the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service organised a Basic Drone Operating Training for Effective Disaster Risk Analysis & Response Planning. The training is hosted jointly by the THINKlab and School of Environment and Life Sciences (ELS), University of Salford. The main objectives of the event to facilitate knowledge co-creation and the UK fire and emergency responders inputs to the MOBILISE project activities particularly in Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Friday, 9th March, 2018

Meeting with Natural Hazard Partnership and BGS

Dr.Vanessa Banks, Team Leader Shallow Geohazards and Risks from the British Geological Survey and Ms. Becky Hemingway, Strategic Relationship Manager BEIS and Weather Impact Scientist for the Natural Hazards Partnership (NHP) visited to the THINKlab. During their visit Professor Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project, briefed about the project and discussion was held to explore bilateral collaboration and knowledge exchange.

27thFebuary – 01 March, 2018

The MOBILISE project Sri Lanka team organised the first MOBILISE conference on “Strengthening Disaster Risk and Resilience Governance through Digital Technologies”. Senior political leaders including Disaster Management Minister and the Chief Minister , academics, researchers, policy makers, humanitarian responders, big data management experts, earth observation specialists, international and national organisations and business houses from Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Italy, Germany, Nepal, Thailand, United Kingdom and Netherlands attended the conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 27th February to 01st March, 2018. The event was hosted by Universities of Moratuwa and Colombo and THINKlab, University of Salford in partnership with Disaster Management Center, Ministry of Disaster Management, and Government of Sri Lanka.

The event decided to establish a Research and Innovation Knowledge Co creation Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience decision making in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 17th January 2018

Prof. Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project, was invited as a guest speaker at the 'Flood Disaster Management Conference' organised by SPD University of Salford. His presentation was focused on “How can we use data to mitigate the social impact of flooding?". During the conference Professor Fernando introduced the MOBILISE project activities.

Tuesday, 19th December 2017

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, United Kingdom invited Prof. Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project. Prof. Fernando was briefed on multi-agency collaboration disaster risk safety and emergency governance in the Tyne and Wear region and fire and capabilities of the rescue services. During his visit Prof. Fernando also visited to SafetyWorks. Prof. Fernando was accompanied by Dr. Simon Campion Commercial VR Project Manager THINKlab, The School of the Built Environment and Dr. Komal Raj Aryal, Research Fellow for the MOBILISE project.

27th November - 29th November 2017

Professor Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project, invited to present MOBILISE project activities in the 7th International Conference on building resilience, Bangkok, Thailand.

22 - 24 November 2017

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) invited Professor Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project, to speak as one of the special guests in the Conference on “International Cooperation Towards Low – Emission and Resilient Societies” in Bonn on 23rd November, 2017. Prof. Fernando did a key note speech in the session on 'Networks, Big Data and Integrated Systems for SDGs’.

During his visit to Prof. Fernando also had a bilateral meeting with Dr. Juan Carlos Villagrán de León, the head of UN-SPIDER Bonn Office and Dr. Shirish Ravan Senior Programme Officer the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Vienna International Centre.

20-24 November 2017

Dr.Komal Aryal, Research Fellow, THINKlab, University of Salford presented his research on the cascading impacts of the 2015 Nepal Gorkha Twin Earthquakes in the 1st International Workshop on 'Seismic Loss, Rehabilitation Post-Earthquake Crisis Management of Critical Infrastructure' in Istanbul, Turkey. The event was organised by Istanbul Technical University & the University of Sheffield and funded by the Researchers' Link Programme of the British Council and TUBITAK (The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey).

23-25 October 2017

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Ministry of Civil Affairs China invited Dr.Komal Aryal, Research Fellow, THINKlab, University of Salford to the United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction "Building Resilience through Integrated Applications". Beijing, China. During the conference Dr. Aryal shared his experience on interagency collaboration on risk and resilience governance and introduced the MOBILSE project activities.

Tuesday, 26th September 2017

Dr. Komal Aryal, Research Fellow for the MOBILISE project attended 100 Resilient Cities Workshop in Manchester.

6th September 2017

Professor Terrence Fernando, Principal Investigator of the MOBILISE project was invited as one of the key speakers to the Resilience Direct Annual Conference 2017 at Manchester. The event was supported by the Ordnance Survey and UKFast.

During the event, THINKlab senior researchers Dr. Simon Campion and Dr. Kuo Cheng Wu also showed conference participants various digital products developed by the lab that can be used as for effective disaster risk and emergency response planning.

Monday 21 & Tuesday, 22 August 2017

The MOBILISE project consortium met and in Salford on 21th to 23rd August 2017 and launched the project in the presence of senior government representatives from the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, United Kingdom. Senior academics, senior local government representatives and emergency services, project consortium partners, business communities, researchers and students attended the event. The project's next steps were planned. The meeting is concluded with the workshop and planned for the first MOBILSIE Consortium event in Sri Lanka in February 2018.