From 19-21 July 2017, DPPC conducted its first overseas outreach program in Hanoi, Vietnam to promote collaboration for possible joint trainings, research and projects with top universities/research institutes and DRM agencies in Vietnam. The DPPC member consisted of Dr. Aizul Nahar Harun, Senior Lecturer and DPPC research fellow and Dr. Shohei Matsuura, JICA Expert to DPPC.
Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), 19 June
MARD is one of the key line agencies that are responsible for planning measures to natural disasters in Vietnam.
With understanding that both countries face the same DRM issues, which are more focused on water-related disasters (e.g. floods and coastal erosion), discussions with DMC ranged from cooperation for building capacities of their disaster managers in the MDRM program as well as joint training programs that could be implemented in Malaysia and Vietnam.
The meeting was joined by Mr Dang Quan Minh, Deputy Director, Mr Nguyen Huynh Quang, Head of CBDRM Division and other DMC officers.
Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment (HUNRE), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 19 June
HUNRE, situated under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and owning over 10,000 students and close to 400 faculty members, is a new institute established in 2010 (but with 60 years history as a college) that focuses on education and research in the field of environment, hydrology, water resource management and climate change.
The DPPC team was received by Professor Dr Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, President, Assoc. Prof Dr Pham Quy Nhan, Vice President, Dr. Nguyen Ba Dzung, Head of Science, Technology and International Relations and other heads of departments. Ideas were raised for (1) joint research and training programs in the field of environmental management and climate change and (2) student/faculty exchange. To materialize these, signing of MoU was suggested by President Thanh.
Thuy Loi University (TLU), 20 June
Thuy Loi University is one of the prominent education and research institute with stregth in water-related civil engineering and has produced many disaster experts currently active in government agencies and research institutes.
Greeted by Professor Dr Nguyen Canh That, Vice Rector and Professor Pham Hong Nga, Head of International Cooperation Department, suggestions on drafting a join research proposal on issues such as flood control and dam operation were raised. Both sides were also keen on student/staff exchange and joint JICA projects, partnering the Japanese universities.
Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (IMHEN), Office of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 20 June
IMHEN is a research institute under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) that owns about 300 staffs conducting research and offering PhD on climatology, hydrology and water resource management. IMHEN is also the key research institute in making climate change scenarios for Vietnam and suggesting adaptive measures for sustainable infrastructure, agriculture and marine development.
Received by Nguyen Dang Mau, Deputy Director of Office of Climate Change and his staffs, IMHEN expressed strong interest for staff exchange, especially for younger staff to build their technical capacity in climate adaptation research.
