The University of Wolverhampton has strengthened an international partnership to support economic growth and ambitious sustainability plans in Vietnam.
The University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment (SoABE) partnered with Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) in 2022 through joint funding applications by Dr Phương Nguyễn Thị Khánh, Vice Rector of HUCE, from HUCE and Dr Hamid Pouran, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Technology in SoABE. In early 2023, Dr Phương was invited as a visiting scholar to SoABE Faculty of Science and Engineering as part of a research grant.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed recently to further cement the partnership between the two institutions. The agreement outlines a partnership agreement which includes short research visits, joint PhD supervision, joint funding applications to enable research exchanges as well as knowledge sharing through workshops and seminars.
Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “I was delighted to meet colleagues from HUCE and to sign the MoU.
“The opportunities are significant, and both sides are strongly committed to realising the full potential of this collaborative relationship.” Dr Paul Hampton, Head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment, said: “The robust foundation established between HUCE and SoABE can be leveraged for impactful collaboration spanning research, education, and knowledge transfer.
“By building partnerships, our institutions can support Vietnam's impressive progress and ambitions around sustainability and renewable energy and beyond that. The opportunities are significant, and both sides are strongly committed to realising the full potential of this collaborative relationship.”
Professor Nguyen Hoang Giang, Vice Rector of HUCE, said: “Vietnam committed to net zero emissions by 2050 at COP26.
“National strategies all aim for this goal. Vietnamese universities, including HUCE, also actively participate in scientific research and contribute a lot to national policies. We believe that the MOU signed with the University of Wolverhampton will help us share and enhance the capacity from international projects, especially in promoting sustainable development, renewable energy, green cities, and circular economy. Important keywords that contribute to Vietnam achieving its committed goals.”
The agreement builds on the University’s existing work on sustainable development. Dr Pouran recently prepared a COP26 policy brief which was presented in Glasgow, ‘Evaluating Floating Photovoltaics Potential in Providing Clean Energy and Supporting Agricultural Growth in Vietnam.’
