Kehl University Visits Hualien for the Second Consecutive Year to Study the Hualien County Government’s April 3 Earthquake Response

(中央社訊息服務20250327 12:00:04)A delegation from Kehl University (Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung Kehl) in Germany arrived at Hualien County Government on February 19 2025 to exchange insights on natural disaster response and resilience strategies. As part of their visit, the delegation toured the Hualien Disaster Prevention Education Center for an in-depth study of the county’s disaster management, emergency response measures, and post-disaster reconstruction strategies. They were welcomed by Hualien County Secretary-General Jao Chung, who represented Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, facilitating discussions on disaster preparedness efforts and strengthening international awareness of Hualien’s resilience initiatives.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Jao emphasized that Hualien, situated in an earthquake-prone region, frequently experiences natural disasters such as typhoons and heavy rainfall. To mitigate their impact, the Hualien County Government has long invested in disaster prevention infrastructure, conducted community disaster drills, and collaborated with the central government and private organizations. These efforts are aimed at enhancing overall resilience and minimizing disruptions to residents’ daily lives.

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kegelmann, head of the delegation, highlighted that Kehl University, as a premier institution for civil servant training in Germany, prepares students for frontline roles in public administration. He underscored the value of learning from Hualien’s disaster response experience, commending the county government’s proactive resilience initiatives. Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, he looked forward to continued collaboration and noted that this experience would serve as a transformative learning opportunity for the delegation members.

Former Mayor of Maselheim, Elmar Braun, acknowledged the significant challenges Hualien faced in the wake of the April 3 earthquake, recognizing the sheer power of natural disasters. Having visited Hualien more than four times, he expressed his deep appreciation for the region and its people. Seeing firsthand the severity of the disaster and the county’s swift response reinforced his admiration for Hualien’s resilience. He pledged to share Hualien’s inspiring recovery efforts with colleagues in Germany and hoped to continue fostering this meaningful exchange.

Founded in 1971, Kehl University specializes in training civil servants and is dedicated to advancing public administration through innovation and development. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s programs with a strong emphasis on practical learning and international cooperation. This year’s delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Kegelmann and former Mayor Braun, included 17 faculty members and students.

Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei has long been committed to strengthening disaster resilience and advancing various disaster prevention initiatives to safeguard the people of Hualien. The county’s proactive disaster preparedness efforts have attracted numerous international delegations seeking to learn from its experience. Today’s discussions were attended by representatives from the Hualien County Fire Department, Economic Affairs Department, and Social Affairs Department, fostering in-depth exchanges on disaster response strategies. The Hualien County Government will continue to enhance collaboration with international academic institutions, further strengthening disaster resilience and preparedness to build a safer future together.