An-Najah National University Engages in World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Italy
In its ongoing commitment to advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing Palestinian society’s resilience and disaster risk reduction capabilities, An-Najah National University actively participated in the World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE2024). This prestigious event, held in Milan, Italy, from July 1 to 4, 2024, brought together researchers from approximately 100 countries. The conference, convened every four years, is a significant platform for sharing the latest advancements in earthquake engineering.
Representing the university, Dr. Jamal Dabeek presented two pivotal papers at the conference. The first paper, titled “Probabilistic Seismic Risk Assessment of Communities and Critical Infrastructure in Palestine,” was featured in a session focused on the latest findings in earthquake risk modeling from various countries, including Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, and Palestine.
Dr. Dabeek's presentation highlighted the results of studies assessing potential risks to essential facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, such as hospitals and schools. This assessment was conducted prior to the war on Gaza and accounted for the subsequent destruction. The session also covered findings from a project implemented by An-Najah University's Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center for the National Center for Disaster Risk Management, funded by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). The paper was co-authored by Dr. Jamal Dabeek, Prof. Jalal Dabeek, and Dr. Helen Crowley from the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation.
The second paper presented by Dr. Dabeek addressed “Enhancing Spatial and Temporal Resolution of European Exposure Models.” This study developed a methodology for predicting spatial changes in population distribution during different times of the day and across various seasons due to tourism activities in 28 European countries. The findings illustrate the impact of these changes on the extent of damage and potential losses from earthquakes. This research was conducted in collaboration with the EUCENTRE Foundation as part of the European RISE project, one of the largest initiatives in this field. Dr. Dabeek and researchers from EUCENTRE and GEM contributed to this paper.
An-Najah National University’s participation in WCEE2024 underscores its dedication to scientific research and its proactive role in strengthening Palestinian society’s ability to confront disasters. The university's engagement in international forums highlights its commitment to achieving sustainable development.
