Thuyloi University celebrates World Water Day: Glacier Preservation

The event welcomed notable guests including Mr. Johnathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam; Mr. Timmerman Willem, First Secretary for Water and Climate Change at the Embassy of the Netherlands; and Dr. Alexis Drogoul, Co-Director of the ACROSS Center of Excellence. Representatives from international organizations such as FAO, UNEP, and ACROSS also attended, alongside delegates from the Vietnam Irrigation Association, Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Association, and the Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Associations.

Representatives from government agencies and research institutes relevant to the water sector were present, including Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural and Social Sciences at the Ministry of Science and Technology; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tinh, former Director General of the General Department of Water Resources and Program Director of “Science and Technology for Water Security and Dam Safety”; and Ms. Ngo Thi Thuy, Deputy Director of the Center for Hydrology and Oceanography, under the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change.

Participants also included academic institutions such as the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, University of Civil Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Environment, and Thuyloi University.

In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai emphasized the university’s role as a leading institution in water resources, climate change, and disaster prevention. Over 65 years of development, Thuyloi University has contributed to numerous international cooperation projects, such as the Netherlands-funded Coastal Engineering Training Capacity Enhancement Project (Phase 1 and 2), the NICHE project on climate change capacity building, the OKP (Orange Knowledge Programme) funded by NUFFIC, and the New Zealand-funded Dam Safety Project.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice President, gives speech

Since 2021, the university has collaborated with the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD) to establish an international laboratory following the Center of Excellence model (ACROSS). These efforts affirm Thuyloi University’s commitment to addressing urgent challenges related to water security and sustainable development – said the Vice President.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai also hopes that through the celebration activities, he will bring to young students the message: Be passionate about research, ask big questions and find practical solutions to protect water resources, respond to climate change and prevent natural disasters.

The ceremony also followed the report of the World Water Development Report 2025 of United Nations, which was officially announced on the morning of March 20 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The report aims to provide an overview of the current state of water resources at the global and regional levels, analyze key trends, and propose recommendations for regions and countries in sustainable water resource management. The report plays an important role in policy recommendations and raising awareness of challenges and opportunities related to water resources. Launching the “Water Challenge for Young Innovators”, an initiative within the framework of the Intergovernmental Programme on Hydrology of UNESCO Vietnam to support the promotion of outstanding scientific research by young scientists and youth in the field of water resources and climate change in Vietnam.

Discussion and dialogue with the youth

Also within the framework of the program, delegates also listened to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tinh, Former Director General of the General Department of Irrigation - Head of the Program "Scientific and technological research to serve the assurance of water security and safety of dams and reservoirs" share an overview of the National Science and Technology Program as well as discuss the role of scientific research to ensure water security in Vietnam today. This topic also opened the discussion and youth dialogue session on “Water Security and Climate Resilience in a Changing World”. At the same time, delegates also had time to visit the area displaying posters of scientific research results of students and young scientists in the water sector.

Students from universities and colleges participate in the exhibition area

The United Nations (UN) Summit on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, the United Nations General Assembly passed a Resolution approving March 22 every year as World Water Day. 2025 was declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Glacier Conservation at the United Nations General Assembly, to raise awareness of the important role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and water cycle, as well as the far-reaching impacts of glacier melt, highlighting the urgency of protecting water systems in the context of climate change.

Photos: TLU Journalism and Media (TJM)