On the afternoon of June 16, 2021, the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Areas – National Economics University in collaboration with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands co-organized the Kick-off Workshop of the project “Strengthening capacity in training – experiential learning” (Saxion-NEU Draw Down Project). The project is funded by the Netherlands Organization for the Internationalization of Education (NUFFIC) within the framework of the Orange Knowledge Program – Tailor Made Training (OKP-TMT) through the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Affairs.

Conference Scene

Attending the workshop, on the side of the delegates outside the university, there were Dr. Laurent Umans – First Secretary, Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam; Mr. Janco Bonnink – Director of Education and Student Support at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, OSS-IO; Mr. Peter van Tuijl – Director of the Netherlands Education Support Office under the Netherlands Organization for the Internationalization of Education (Nuffic-Neso) in Southeast Asia; Prof. Dr. Harry Futselaar – Environmental Treatment Technology Expert, Head of the Department of International Water Technology, Saxion University; Prof. Dr. Timber Haakerr – Business Model Expert, Saxion University; Prof. Dr. Jan Veuger – Blockchains Expert, Saxion University; b Ngoc Ngo – Manager in charge of Strategic Partners, Saxion University of Applied Sciences. On behalf of the National Economics University, there were Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Chuong – Principal of the University; Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Duc Truong – Head of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Affairs; and representatives of leaders of Departments, Faculties, Institutes and Centers throughout the University.

Also attending the workshop were partners of Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Indonesia such as Telkom University and the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), including: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eko Siswoyo – Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Planning and Civil Engineering, Islamic University of Indonesia (UII); Dr. Angga Rusdinar – Director of Research and Community Services at Telkom University; Mr. Thi Le Van Khoa – Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, member of the Young Professionals Program (YEP); Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Vi – Chief Representative of Nuffic-Neso Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong – Principal of the school delivered the opening speech of the Workshop

In his opening speech at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Chuong expressed his appreciation for the long-standing solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the National Economics University and Saxion University, the Netherlands, and the success of the University’s Career Oriented Higher Education (POHE) program since 2008 is a strong testament to that cooperative and friendly relationship. Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Chuong emphasized that the National Economics University will continue to promote the internationalization and modernization of training programs in economics and water resources management, climate change, and agricultural economics. This demonstrates the University’s commitment to building educational programs that meet the needs of the labor market, improving the employment prospects of students after graduation, for the benefit of workers, businesses and serving the common interests of the nation. From the experience of previous cooperation, the Associate Professor President believes that this project will be implemented effectively and that the National Economics University is always ready to learn, accumulate experience, share and support partners not only within the framework of this project but also in many aspects of sustainable cooperation in the future.

Mr. Janco Bonnink – Director of Education and Student Support at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, OSS-IO delivered a welcome speech

Mr. Peter van Tuijl – Director of the Netherlands Education Support Office of the Netherlands Organization for the Internationalization of Education (Nuffic-Neso) in Southeast Asia introduced the Orange Knowledge Program – Tailor Made Training, OKP-TMT) in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Laurent Umans – First Secretary in charge of Water and Climate Change, Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam presented on Climate Change and the role of educational institutions

Prof. Dr. Harry Futselaar – Environmental Treatment Technology Expert, Head of International Water Technology Department, Saxion University presented on Introduction to water management and technology in the context of climate change

Prof. Dr. Timber Haaker – Saxion business model expert introduces the circular business model

Dr. Nguyen Dieu Hang – Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Development Analyzing the benefits of climate adaptation measures for infrastructure: A case study of the Cai Lon – Cai Be sluice in Vietnam

Prof. Dr. Jan Veuger – Blockchains expert, Saxion University presented a paper on Digitalization in teaching activities and methods of curriculum innovation

Ms. Ngoc Ngo – Manager in charge of Strategic Partners, Saxion University of Applied Sciences chaired the workshop, linking universities within the framework of the project program.

Speakers attend and present their papers online.

It is known that the project aims to build, improve and modernize according to international standards courses in the fields of climate change, economics and water resources management, agricultural economics and food security in Vietnam. The theoretical basis of the project is to transfer educational experiences and innovations that have been successfully implemented in the Netherlands to Vietnam, in parallel with modernizing the curriculum, grasping market trends and needs. The project also contributes to creating extensive connections between partners in the Southeast Asian region, helping to enhance knowledge exchange in the project’s research field.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong – Head of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Urbanization delivered the closing speech of the Workshop.

In his closing speech at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Duc Truong – Head of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Urban Areas, on behalf of the school’s leadership, thanked all experts and scientists for their participation, and expressed his belief that the project would be a great success.

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