On November 7, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE) hosted a reception and working session with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
Figure 1 – Overview of the working session
Representing HCMUNRE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Nghiem – Vice President; and Dr. Le Thi Kim Thoa – Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology Management and External Relations. Attending from the academic units were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lu Phuong – Deputy Head of the Faculty of Environment; Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – Deputy Head of the Faculty of Meteorology, Hydrology and Water Resources; M.S. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thanh – Deputy Head of the Faculty of Economics; and M.S. Le Thi Ngoc Diem – Lecturer of the Faculty of Environment, together with several staff and lecturers of the University.
Figure 2 – Representatives of Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment
AIT was represented by Dr. Sangam Shrestha – Chair of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Co-Director of the Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC); and Professor of Water Engineering and Management (WEM).
Figure 3 – Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
The session began with an overview presentation by HCMUNRE, highlighting the University’s history, organizational structure, major training programs, and notable achievements in education, scientific research, and community engagement. The presentation also underscored the University’s mission in developing high-quality human resources in the fields of natural resources, environment, climate change, and sustainable development, aligned with national priorities and international integration.
Following this, the AIT representative provided an introduction to the Institute, featuring its academic structure, strategic research orientations, and international training programs across various disciplines—particularly engineering, water resources management, energy, and sustainable development. AIT’s presentation emphasized its role as a leading academic and research institution in Asia, supported by an extensive network of partnerships with international organizations, governments, and prominent universities around the world.
During the discussion, the two institutions exchanged insights on potential areas for collaboration, including joint training programs, academic exchange, research cooperation, and the development of collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable development. Both sides expressed a strong interest in establishing a long-term, effective, and mutually beneficial partnership that contributes to enhancing the quality of higher education and research at the regional and global levels.
Figure 4 – Summary of representatives from both institutions
Concluding the session, HCMUNRE and AIT affirmed that the meeting had been productive, fostering a deeper mutual understanding and opening new opportunities for cooperation in training, scientific research, academic exchange, and sustainable development. Both institutions reiterated their commitment to advancing a substantive and long-term collaborative relationship in support of regional academic and research excellence.