The strengthened cooperation relationship with Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University

On 4 April 2018, Thuyloi University held a ceremony to sign the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding with Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.

The distinguished guests attending the ceremony included Prof. Tetsuya Sumi - Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI) and Mr. Kenichiro Tachi - JICA expert for water resource management policy. Representing TLU, Prof. Trinh Minh Thu - President, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Canh Thai - Vice President and representatives of related departments.

The MOU signing ceremony between TLU and DPRI

TLU signed the first MOU with the DPRI in 2008. Since then, the two sides have been active in co-operating on human resource development and building joint researchs on disaster management. In particular, the experts of DPRI co-operated with the lecturers of TLU’s Second Campus in Ho Chi Minh City to install turbidity and salinity measuring stations on the Mekong Delta. The data collected by these stations will serve as a database for assessing the impacts of upstream reservoirs in the delta. In addition, while it has been observed that riverbank and estuarine erosion has become increasingly serious, there are not many in-depth studies on the issue. Therefore, the TLU and DPRI intend to propose a joint research project regarding this matter.

The experts from TLU and DPRI in the field trip to Central part of Vietnam

In 2017, the experts from two institutes started to conduct a pilot study on riverbank and estuary erosion which was funded by DPRI. In the framework of the study, from 31 March to 4 April 2018, Prof. Sumi (DPRI), Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Canh Thai and other experts of TLU went on a field trip to survey a few reservoirs in the Central Highlands and in the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river system. The aims of the field trip is to understand the mechanism of sediment transport as well as the effects of retained sedimentation and sand dredging in the reservoir system. Based on the results of the survey and collected data, the experts will assess the sediment balance of the river system and develop a comprehensive research proposal for the entire basin, including the issues related to dams safety, sediment management, riverbank erosion, and disaster management, etc. In addition, the TLU and DPRI also had meetings with JICA and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam to seek financial support.

In addition to the recent cooperation on research, TLU and DPRI also exchange lecturers and students. Every year, DPRI offers several PhD scholarships and short-term internships for TLU’s lecturers. TLU’s second campus has welcomed many students of Kyoto University for exchange programs and field trips, etc.

Prof. Sumi presenting Study on Integrated sediment management for reservoir sustainability in Vietnam

The experts visiting the Hydraulic Laboratory

The MOU signing ceremony has reaffirmed the effective cooperation between TLU and DPRI over the past 10 years and promises further collaborations in the future.