UNUD Informatics Presents Prof. Heru Suhartanto: Exploring the Role of Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing in Disaster Mitigation

• Posted by: Admin
• Selasa, 2 Desember 2025
• Has been read 530 time(s)

Bukit Jimbaran, Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - The Informatics Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Udayana University (UNUD), held a guest lecture in the Senate Room of the Faculty. The event featured Professor Heru Suhartanto, M.Sc., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Indonesia (Fasilkom UI).

Amidst the national situation facing flooding in various regions, the topic raised was highly relevant: "Integration of Decision Support Systems for Disaster Response in Indonesia Using Operations Research Methods and High-Performance Computer Systems." Through this material, students were encouraged to understand how numerical methods, informatics algorithms, and databases can be combined into a fast and efficient mitigation system.

Collaboration is Key. Prof. Heru, who has a track record of disaster mitigation research with the University of Lancaster, England, and is active on the APTIKOM board, emphasized that mitigation solutions cannot stand alone. He emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration:

• Academics/Researchers: Providing solutions in the form of proven systems.
• Government (BNPB-BPBD): Establishing regulations and standard operating procedures for handling.
• Industry & Community: Actively involved in technical support in the field.

This Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Indonesia, Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, Canada, and Doctorate in Parallel Computing from the University of Queensland, Australia, explained that real-world problems must be modeled in mathematical formulas to be solved logically and scientifically. Prof. Heru outlined the mitigation system taxonomy developed with the team, which encompasses three main aspects:

• System Distribution: Mapping personal service demand and network data, including distance and route risk.
• Objective: Achieving efficiency (number of shelters), fairness (equitable maximum evacuation time), and security (evacuation risk).
• Constraint: Accounting for differences in service needs, synchronization between personnel, and working hours.

Concluding his presentation, Prof. Heru emphasized the importance of each region having a thorough mitigation plan as a preventative measure. The use of high-performance computing (HDC) is a vital instrument in quickly processing this complex data for public safety.

Starting the guest lecture, the Coordinator of the Informatics Study Program, Dr. I Ketut Gde Suhartana, S.Kom., M.Kom., IPM., ASEAN.Eng., expressed his gratitude for the speaker's time out of his busy schedule. According to Dr. Suhartana, the topic of this guest lecture is highly urgent and highly relevant to the current situation, given the flood disasters currently affecting our brothers and sisters in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. He emphasized that mitigation efforts are key to accelerating post-disaster recovery. From an Informatics perspective, the ability to translate real-world conditions into mathematical models is a crucial skill. This is necessary to create solutions that are not only innovative and creative, but also efficient in solving societal problems.

Echoing this sentiment, Ir. Agus Muliantar, S.Kom., M.Kom., the person in charge (PIC) of the event, also extended a warm welcome. He welcomed Prof. Heru back to Bali and thanked him for his willingness to attend in person (offline). He also expressed his gratitude to the event's supporting staff, including the Head of the Informatics Study Program, the UPIKS FMIPA Coordinator, Ida Ayu Gde Suwiprabayanti Putra, S.Kom., M.T., and I Gede Artha Wibawa, S.T., M.Kom., a lecturer from the Informatics Study Program, who contributed to the success of this event.

Agus also expressed his deep appreciation for the students who enthusiastically participated in the guest lecture. He hoped that Prof. Heru's knowledge would enrich the lecture material at the Informatics Faculty of FMIPA, Udayana, and spark inspiration for solutions to real-world problems. The welcoming ceremony concluded with the proud spirit of "FMIPA Jaya, Jayalah Udayana." (Agm)