This was stated at a presentation programme organised by the Bangladesh Earthquake Society at the BRAC University in the city yesterday.

Prof Frederick Krimgold, director of the Centre for Disaster Risk Management of VPI, made the presentation on Virginia Tech and NCEE-Buet Linkage Programme and Organisation of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Programme in the US.

He said the partnership project would help create mass awareness and at the same time reduce vulnerability to seismic hazards in Bangladesh.

Prof Krimgold said people from all walks life have to be aware about the hazards of the earthquake that would save life during the quake.

He said the main objectives of the project are assessment of human resource capacity, training material development, building assessment structure and regional and international linkage.

The project also includes faculty exchange programmes, communication development, technical literature support, project collaboration, library set up and development of web site, and support to earthquake safety in Bangladesh.

A total of eight institutions from Bangladesh and the USA will participate in the project to be sponsored by USAID and Association Liaison Office for University Co-operation in Development.

BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury and Dr Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of Buet also spoke at the presentation.