The University participated in the 5th Arab Symposium on Natural Disasters. The symposium, which took place in Cairo between 6 and 8 August 2006, was organised in cooperation between the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) and the Arab Research Council Union. The event attracted experts from all over the Arab world: Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Libya and Sudan. 19 papers were presented, on subjects such as earthquakes, landslides, floods and land degradation.
The Dean of Scientific Research and Geomorphology teacher, Professor Muhammad Abu Safat, presented a paper on landslides and reducing their risks in Palestine. He showed illustrations of landslides that have occurred in Palestine as a result of the heavy rain in winter. Dr Jalal Dabeek, Head of the Earth Science and Seismic Engineering Centre (ESSEC) at the university presented his paper on the vulnerability and expected seismic performance of buildings in Palestine.
Participants discussed the risk of natural disasters occurring any time, and recommended that a database be established on disasters sites, and that all means and methods be used to raise awareness of these issues. They also recommended that disaster science be added to the education curriculum.