Within the framework of cooperation between Yamagata University, Japan and Vietnam National University of Agriculture for academic exchange, scientific research cooperation and student exchange, the program YU-VNUA Winter School 2024 - Sustainable Water Management and Food Safety is organized from February 26 to March 2, 2024 at the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam National University of Agriculture. The program is designed to provide students from Yamagata University (YU) and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) with a better understanding of issues related to sustainable water management and food safety. The program involves 9 students, graduate students, and researchers from Yamagata University and 4 students from the Faculty of Natural Resources & Environment, Vietnam National University of Agriculture. The program includes activities to share information from professors, experts from Yamagata University and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture.
In his opening remarks, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Phuong emphasized the student exchange activities between the Vietnam National University of Agriculture and Yamagata University have been carried out since 2019. The Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment has nominated 6 groups of students to participate directly and online in the program. Students and lecturers in the department have had many academic exchange activities, and students who have participated in the program have received scholarships to continue their Master's and PhD studies at Yamagata University. Winter School 2024 is a continuation program where the department accepts students from Yamagata University to study and research. The program provides a lot of knowledge and experience for students when listening to experts share about water resource management, rice cultivation adapting to climate change, a system of wet rice cultivation associated with experiential tourism, water supply systems and safe agricultural production, etc. This will be an opportunity for students participating in the program to understand and experience reality from activities in Vietnam.
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| Prof. Toru Watanabe from Yamagata introduces wastewater treatment technology |
On the first day of the program, the students listened to lectures: waste water treatment technology with a circular economy approach (Prof. Toru Watanabe - YU); Challenges in water source management in Vietnam (MSc. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang - VNUA); Evaluating the effectiveness of using treated water for rice plants (Assoc.Prof.Dr. Vo Huu Cong - VNUA); Water environment analysis (Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoa, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu). The students visited the experimental fields and collected samples for analysis.
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| Students vísit Duong surface water supply company |
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| Students visit the Samsung Electronic Vietnam Company |
The field trips have attracted interest from students of both schools. The group participated in a field trip at the Duong River Surface Water Joint Stock Company, Phu Dong, and the wastewater treatment system at Samsung Electronic Vietnam Company. With the purpose of learning practical knowledge about clean water production operations, water source security, and surface water treatment systems; the impact of water management on agricultural production and food security. The students participated in group discussions about difficulties and solutions in providing sustainable clean water and safe food.
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| Students take samples and analyze them in the Faculty's laboratory |
In addition to the above activities, the student delegation also visited many historical relics imbued with Vietnamese traditions in the capital Hanoi: One Pillar Pagoda, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake... in order to learn more about the rich culture of Vietnam. Especially, the international student delegation had the opportunity to experience a tour around the capital Hanoi with the Hanoi bus tour service.
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| Student experience aquaculture and alternative livehooks in Ha Long bay |
Throughout the 5-day learning and experiencing journey, the program is conducted in English, creating opportunities for participating students to improve their English skills, learn about new cultures, and make international friends. Japanese students have learned Vietnamese language and culture and experienced more deeply through actual visits and discussions. The student groups have excellently presented the results of their studies and experiences at the research points
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| Students report the results |
At the end of the program, Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Phuong, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, presented certificates of program participation to students and speakers. In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Phuong highly appreciated the efforts and results that the two faculties have achieved in collaboration and expressed his hope that future programs will attract more student participation.
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| Participants of the program |
At the end of the program, students have made new friends, gained a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable water management and food safety in Vietnam and Japan, while acquiring valuable skills for their future careers. The next Winter school programs between YU and VNUA will create opportunities for exchange, learning and scholarship/study opportunities for students of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment in particular, and students of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture./.
Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment (FONRE)