On the morning of 12 June, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Institute of Coastal Engineering (under the Ģ����ý Academy for Water Resources) and REECO Science and Technology Co., Ltd (Reecotech), aimed at strengthening the connections between education, research, and professional practice.

The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the “Marine Space and Climate Change” seminar, organised by the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, with the participation of representatives from the partner institutions, lecturers, researchers, and students.

According to the agreement signed with the Institute of Coastal Engineering, the two sides will coordinate to implement practical training and internship programmes, supporting students in accessing research and professional working environments. Concurrently, the Institute of Coastal Engineering and HCMUS will enhance cooperation in teaching activities, expert exchanges, the sharing of professional experience, and the development of scholarship programmes for students. Through these initiatives, students will gain further opportunities to access the fields of marine research, monitoring, and resource management; progressively improving practical capacity and the ability to adapt to professional working environments after graduation.

Alongside the expansion of cooperation with research institutes, HCMUS also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with REECO Science and Technology Co., Ltd (Reecotech). The agreement aims to enhance alignment between educational activities and the practical needs of enterprises, whilst creating conditions for students to access technologies, equipment, and applied solutions within the fields of Oceanography, Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environmental Science.

The collaborative contents focus on training support, human resource development, professional knowledge sharing, and the creation of opportunities for students to participate in internships, corporate visits, career exchanges, and professional development orientation. The involvement of the enterprise is expected to contribute to helping learners update technological trends, clearly understand the needs of the labour market, and enhance the ability to apply knowledge into practice.

On this occasion, the Institute of Coastal Engineering and Reecotech presented scholarships to students of Oceanography. This practical activity aims to encourage the spirit of learning and research, whilst supporting learners on the journey of pursuing marine science.

The establishment and expansion of the collaborative network with specialized research institutes and enterprises further affirm the strategic direction of HCMUS in connecting education, research, and reality. Through specific cooperation programmes, students receive additional opportunities to approach professional environments, enhance practical competence, and progressively prepare career foundations within the fields of oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, and environmental science.

 

On 12 June, the symposium entitled ‘Marine Space and Climate Change’ was hosted by the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS). This academic forum successfully connected educational training, scientific research, and practical maritime management, elucidating the pivotal role of marine science in sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and environmental resource protection.

In the opening address, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, the President of HCMUS, emphasised that Ģ����ý is a coastal nation endowed with substantial advantages in natural resources, maritime economics, and strategic positioning. Marine space is intricately linked not only to economic growth, national defence, and security, but also serves as the vital living environment for millions of citizens. As climate change increasingly exerts profound impacts on coastal regions, the demand for high-quality human resources within oceanography and marine science has become more critical than ever.

According to Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, advancing training and research within marine science enhances capabilities in forecasting, management, and resource exploitation. Furthermore, this advancement plays an essential role in Ģ����ý’s strategic framework for a sustainable marine economy and climate change adaptation.

In light of the United Nations launching the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), marine and ocean sciences during the 2025–2030 period are transitioning rapidly from single-discipline to interdisciplinary approaches. These modern methodologies integrate data science, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies. Marine space is progressively viewed as a multidimensional system encompasses natural resources, ecosystems, infrastructure, socio-economic activities, sustainable development, and national sovereignty.

The thematic presentations followed a structured progression from foundational training to the empirical challenges faced by Ģ����ý’s marine and coastal zones. The proceedings commenced with the development of Oceanography as marine science shifts decisively towards interdisciplinarity, big data, artificial intelligence, and digital ocean twins. Consequently, modern education extends beyond traditional expertise, broadening to encompass data analytics, mathematical modelling, forecasting, and the application of advanced technologies within Earth Sciences.

Building upon educational frameworks, subsequent presentations addressed the practical challenges confronting Southern Ģ����ý and the Mekong Delta. Climate change imposes distinct pressures on these areas, manifested through altered rainy seasons, intensifying heatwaves, saline intrusion, alongside risks of torrential rainfall, high tides, coastal erosion, and anomalous sea-level rise. Numerous experts asserted that enhancing observation, forecasting, and early warning capabilities must be prioritised. This objective requires the integration of meteorological-hydrological data, remote sensing, radar/satellite imagery, and sophisticated numerical models.

Moving beyond risk identification, the discussions expanded towards adaptive solutions for coastal zones, particularly as erosion, land subsidence, and mangrove degradation grow increasingly complex. Rather than relying solely on traditional hard engineering structures, contemporary strategies favour a combination of hard and soft engineering, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem restoration. Wave-attenuating dykes, sediment sedimentation models, mangrove protection, and coastal space development are regarded not merely as technical measures, but as integral components of long-term adaptation strategies.

From a managerial perspective, the presentations highlighted the necessity of a sustainable blue economy, integrated coastal zone management, and the utilisation of digital technologies in planning, warning systems, and decision-making. This approach demonstrates that contemporary oceanographic research remains inseparable from socio-economic considerations, local livelihoods, infrastructure, ecosystem conservation, and the sustainable development of coastal communities.

Alongside the presentation and discussion sessions, an exhibition in the lobby of Hall I showcased various models, scientific products, and posters relating to Oceanography, Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environmental Science. This exhibition offered attendees, particularly students, an interactive opportunity to engage directly with the research directions, equipment, and technologies currently deployed in marine science.

 

The ‘Marine Space and Climate Change’ symposium has fostered stronger networks between educational institutions, research institutes, and specialised agencies, whilst opening new perspectives on the role of marine science in addressing sustainable development challenges. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with contemporary issues in the field, thereby raising awareness and responsibility towards the effective protection and exploitation of marine resources, contributing to the future sustainable development of the nation.

 

On 14 November, the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science inaugurated the Workshop on Marine Science and Sustainable Development, a special event marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Oceanography discipline within the Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology. The opening ceremony took place in an exciting atmosphere, attended by many scientists, international experts, and young researchers who shared scientific perspectives on the ocean.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan—President of the University—expressed his honour in welcoming scientists, experts, and young researchers to this meaningful forum. The President of the University affirmed the critical role of the workshop: “Today’s event brings together scientists, experts, and young researchers to share the latest findings and innovative ideas aimed at a sustainable future for our oceans. This cooperation not only promotes marine science but also strengthens global connectivity in addressing shared challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and sustainable coastal management.”

The Marine Science and Sustainable Development Workshop included 16 presentations, divided into three specialised discussion sessions:

Session 1: Marine Science and Sustainable Development

This session featured talks on the 20-year journey of OMH@HCMUS by Vo Luong Hong Phuoc; the advancement of coastal monitoring with indigenous HF radar development, presented by Hwa Chien; global trends in oceanic fronts and their implications for marine ecosystems, presented by Andrew Fischer, Kai Yang, and Phuc TD. Le; high-precision measurements in marine chemistry (DMS as example) surviving and advancing in any environment, presented by Sohiko Kameyama; and machine learning applications for classification and regression, presented by Quoc Pham.

Session 2: Microplastics – From Research to Forecasting

This session focused on urgent environmental challenges, beginning with Chemicaldrift – a new open source ocean pollution model, presented by Lars R. Hole, Manuel Aghito, and Øyvind Breivik. Further presentations included surface water contamination with microplastics in Poland, detailing trends and challenges, by Piotr Zieliński and Karolina Mierzyńska; classification and prediction of microplastics by Vo Luong Hong Phuoc and colleagues; the challenges and opportunities of detection and classification of microplastics using artificial intelligence, presented by Pham The Bao and a large group of co-authors; and integrating AI and GIS for forecasting saltwater intrusion in Ho Chi Minh City, Ģ����ý under climate change, presented by Vo Thi Kim Kieu, Pham Thi Tuyet Huyen, and Nguyen Kim Loi.

Session 3: River–Sea Processes and Coastal Zones

This session addressed dynamic environments, with topics covering the formation mechanism of a sand bar in Cua Dai – Thu Bon River mouth, presented by Vu Tuan Anh and Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung; sub-mesoscale flows and near-inertial motions in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River plume in the Gulf of Mexico, presented by Pat Welch; water resource characteristics of the Mekong Delta, including current status, challenges, and sustainable management solutions, presented by Tran Dang An; the use of sand on a global scale and the impact on the marine environment, by Klaus Schwarzer; coastal protection strategies with nature-based solution for climate change adaptation in coastal Mekong Delta, presented by Le Xuan Tu; and shifting tidal dynamics in the Mekong Delta, unravelling the acceleration of tidal amplification and its anthropogenic roots, presented by Nguyen Cong Thanh, Tran Van Xuan, Nguyen Nghia Hung, and Dang Truong An.

The event was attended by many scientists, international experts, and young researchers.

The workshop concluded with an affirmation of the crucial role of marine science in providing data, solutions, and strategic direction to protect the ocean sustainably and promptly against current environmental fluctuations. The specialised discussion sessions highlighted the importance of applying modern technology—from HF radar and precise chemical measurement methods to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning—to enhance the capacity for monitoring and forecasting complex ocean systems. The focus of the workshop was not only on basic research into ocean dynamics but also extended to urgent environmental challenges such as microplastic pollution on surface waters and the impact of climate change on coastal areas and estuaries. The solutions presented, from marine pollution modelling to nature-based coastal protection strategies, demonstrated the transformation of scientific knowledge into strategic action.