On the morning of April 11, 2024, leaders of the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide, Australia, visited National Economics University (NEU) for a working meeting.

An overview of the meeting

Representing the Environmental Institute at the meeting was Prof. Andrew Lowe, Director of the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide. Representing NEU were Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies; and faculty and staff from both units.

Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation, speaks at the meeting

On behalf of the University’s leadership, Dr. Dao Thanh Tung welcomed the delegation of staff and experts from the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide to NEU for a visit and working meeting. At the meeting, Dr. Dao Thanh Tung shared information about the University’s scientific research activities and international conferences, as well as its notable achievements in education, scientific research and cooperation. He also expressed his desire to further expand cooperation with the University of Adelaide in education and research in the future.

Delegates attending the meeting pose for a commemorative group photo

At the meeting, Prof. Andrew Lowe, Director of the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide, introduced recent blue carbon projects and their development potential in Vietnam.

Also during the discussion, Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies, introduced the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) Network. He noted that while previous discussions had often focused on models to promote economic growth, the focus has now shifted toward environmental issues, along with nature-based solutions and biodiversity. Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong therefore expressed a strong desire to strengthen cooperation on these topics.

Following the discussion, delegates participated in a scientific roundtable on “Promoting Research on Carbon Markets and Biodiversity.” In addition to experts from the two universities, the roundtable brought together numerous scientists, including Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Hoc from the Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Dr. Nguyen Hung Minh, Director of the Center for Climate Change Response, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; and Dr. Nguyen Viet Dung and MSc. Ta Duc Binh from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment.

Opening the roundtable, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, lecturer at the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and Vietnam CCG coordinator, introduces the Climate Compatible Growth Network, its ongoing projects and opportunities for cooperation

Prof. Dr. Andrew Lowe, Director of the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide, introduces ongoing projects

Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Hoc from the Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, discusses ecology and nature-based solutions

Dr. Nguyen Hung Minh, Director of the Center for Climate Change Response, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, discusses carbon credits in Vietnam and greenhouse gas inventories

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cong Thanh, Head of the Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Economics and Management, discusses biodiversity credits and water resources management

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hoai Thu, Head of the Division of Climate Change Economics and Management, discusses the Faculty’s collaborative climate change projects with Taiwan

Dr. Sarah Wheeler from the University of Adelaide discusses economic solutions for natural resources and environmental management

Dr. Alice Jones from the University of Adelaide and Dr. Pham Thu Thuy, Senior Expert at CIFOR-ICRAF and lecturer at the University of Adelaide, discuss blue carbon and payments for environmental services

Concluding the roundtable, Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong highlighted the considerable potential for cooperation among the parties. In response, Prof. Dr. Andrew Lowe expressed his hope that research and education cooperation between the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide would be included in the Memorandum of Understanding between NEU and the University of Adelaide.

Article and photos: Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.