Bunaat Initiative
Bunaat Initiative
We build people to set up constructions
The Syrian Virtual University is organizing its community-scientific initiative “Bunnat”
in cooperation with:
The Ministry of Local Administration and Environment
and the Syrian Engineers Syndicate
Introduction
Based on the importance of activating the role of youth, specialization investment and sustainable strategic intervention, the Bunaat initiative cooperates 
with the disaster management authorities in order to develop strategies that create effective cadres in the field of security and safety. It also aims to activate the role of engineers and students with appropriate specializations, and to train them through working with specialists and consultants. Consequently, there will be an integrated digital map that includes data on the affected areas and several intervention scenarios with the possibility of being analyzed and managed in order to achieve a smart response to the disaster with Syrian expertise.
The 'Bunnat' initiative, which was set up by a specialized supervision committee at the Syrian Virtual University, headed by Dr.Sonia Ahmed_ Director of the BIMM Master Program, seeks to take part in collecting and analyzing data on the areas affected by the earthquake that struck Syria on February 6, 2023, along with the committees formed and charged with this mission in order to create an interactive digital map of those areas. As a result, this will lead to achieving management of that digitally collected data, offering solutions and achieving sustainable development in the engineering field. In addition, an alternative housing for those affected will be proposed taking into account the Syrian architectural identity and the latest technologies in design and implementation.
This committee developed a complete organizational structure for the initiative and included inviting a number of Arab and foreign experts in this field.
'Bunnat' vision
Creating Syrian cadres with high experience in sustainable engineering work, capable of managing the disaster by using modern digital technologies.
Initiative goals
Contributing to results analysis and appropriate reports issuance based on the results of the committees formed by the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and the Syrian Engineers Syndicate.
Discussing and reviewing the results and developing a digital map model by using the GIS system, in preparation for submitting it to the governmental committee for this purpose, and, subsequently, submitting it to the Higher Steering Committee for Digital Transformation to be approved as part of the digital transformation strategy in Syria.
Proposing appropriate lectures and courses to implement disaster management initiatives and projects in cooperation with the most important specialists in those fields.
Establishing awareness in the society in general and among engineers in particular about the importance of structural analysis, its mechanisms and programs, and its necessity in mitigating the effects of the disaster.
Proposing suitable design solutions for alternative housing to those affected in cooperation with the concerned authorities.
Proposing pilot projects with the stakeholders and specialists to choose suitable building materials to be used as dampers during earthquakes.
Establishing the Digital Building Institute with its departments: Engineering Projects Management - Architectural Modelling - Structural Modelling - Electromechanical Modelling - Disaster Management (Security and Safety).
Carrying out applied research projects in the initiative-related fields.
Those involved in the initiative
- The Syrian society with all its specializations and age groups, as the initiative is an invitation to all ministries concerned with disaster management - the Syrian Engineers Syndicate - international organizations, engineering companies (public and private sectors).
- Experts in earthquakes and structural engineering - digitization and its impact on disaster management - disaster management - security and safety, in the Arab region and beyond.
The main pillars of the initiative
Pillar (1) Data collection and analysis
- To take part in collecting, classifying and digitizing the necessary data from the affected areas according to the form approved by the Syrian government;
- To provide the tools and technology supporting the production of the digital model;
- To build up archives and digital libraries needed along with data quality assurance;
- To present and benefit from national, Arab and international experiences;
- To internationally cooperate, and nationally and regionally have partnerships regarding disaster management and management based on digitization.
Pillar (2) Preparing the digital model
- Developing, making available and updating the digital model by using the GIS system;
- Supporting the model with images and data;
- Modelling of damaged buildings;
- Adding the submitted forms to the digital form of the map;
- Analyzing data and publishing results;
- Developing the model and linking it with artificial intelligence;
- Presenting national, Arab and international experiences.
Pillar (3) Research and applied projects (graduation projects of BIMM master students)
- Studying the economic, social and technological impact of digitization on disaster management (regional and international indicators);
- Manufacturing digital models in the engineering sector and investing them in disaster management;
- Modelling damaged buildings, and studying space and conditions for their rehabilitation;
- Coming up with solutions for temporary housing and alternative housing for the affected;
- Drawing a digital map and expanding it to include all affected areas.
Pillar (4) Capacity building in the field of digital content
- Developing human resources to support the digitization system and disaster management;
- Building institutional capacities through workshops and specialized training courses;
- Holding awareness lectures and interviews with experts inside and outside Syria;
- Establishing the Digital Institute at the Syrian Virtual University, including the Department of Disaster Management (Security and Safety).
