The "University International Program" (UIP) at Sichuan University officially commenced on June 30th. Upon invitation from the college, Professor Ana Maria Cruz from Kyoto University, Japan, delivered the "Technology and Disasters" course to undergraduate students of Sichuan University. Professor Ana Maria Cruz not only elucidated the fundamentals of disaster science, encompassing risk, vulnerability, risk identification, and risk assessment. She also placed emphasis on introducing the scientific management and disaster mitigation knowledge pertaining to Natech events, equipping students with insights into the threats posed by Natech events and the corresponding mitigation technologies.

The course was one of the five International Week (UIP) courses provided by the School of Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Management in 2024. It was attended by 40 students hailing from 15 colleges, including the School of Electrical Engineering, the School of Literature and Journalism, the School of Computer Science, and West China School of Medicine. Spanning 4 days and encompassing 16 class hours, the course was composed of on-site instruction, classroom interaction, risk decision-making exercises, and group presentations. Professor Ana Maria Cruz meticulously prepared the course content, commencing with the fundamental concepts of disasters. She then delved into Natech accident risk assessment and analysis, elucidating the impact of natural disasters on industrial technology and socioeconomics. Furthermore, through a systematic review of the Natech accident cases triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake, she engaged students in discussions and summarized the lessons learned. Lastly, Professor Cruz provided a comprehensive overview of the risk governance experience gleaned from her extensive research, along with the sociocultural issues encountered in this process.

The course also incorporated our college's latest research achievement—the "Defend Community" serious game, designed to raise awareness of Natech accident risks—to conduct scenario-driven risk management exercises. The game is rooted in the disaster prevention knowledge imparted through disaster scenario simulations, with the objective of heightening players' awareness of disaster risks and their capacity for self-rescue and mutual aid, particularly in terms of risk communication and information dissemination. Through the game, students not only acquired knowledge but also gained personal experience. They learned to convey scientific disaster knowledge, popularize emergency evacuation procedures, and emphasize the importance of disaster avoidance, rescue, prevention, and mitigation. Moreover, they practiced comprehensive disaster risk management theory from the perspective of the entire disaster life cycle. In the classroom, Professor Ana Maria Cruz enthusiastically engaged with the students. Her progressive explanations and the diverse course content, integrated with the Natech serious game, encouraged students to actively participate in classroom Q&A sessions and discussions. Through the instruction and sharing of research findings, the students' awareness of disaster prevention and mitigation was further heightened, while simultaneously broadening their international perspectives.