STARS Water Center Promotes Research Collaboration with Yeungnam University, South Korea

Connecting Research Strengths in Water, Energy, and Environmental Fields

As part of the program, Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Bich – Director of the STARS Water Center held a working session with Prof. Jung Jae Hak – Dean of the College of Engineering and Prof. Jin-Young Jung – Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering, Yeungnam University.

The working session focused on potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in the fields of water, energy, environment, and agriculture. The two sides discussed the potential to establish a joint research platform based on the Water–Energy–Food–Environment (WEFE) Nexus approach, integrating solutions for water reuse, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and process optimization.

One of the proposed research directions is the development of a “Smart Solar Water–Food System” – an integrated system combining solar energy, water management and reuse, and agricultural production adapted to climate change in the Mekong Delta. The model aims to utilize renewable energy for pumping, aeration, irrigation, treatment, and monitoring, while optimizing water and energy use, productivity, costs, and environmental performance.

This approach is also aligned with the STARS Water Center’s applied research orientation toward developing integrated, circular, and sustainable water resource management solutions tailored to the practical conditions of the Mekong Delta.

Visiting Yeungnam University’s Solar Energy Experimental Field

In addition to the working session, the Tra Vinh University delegation visited Yeungnam University’s solar energy experimental field.

The visit provided the delegation with an opportunity to gain practical insights into the application of solar energy in experimental and production activities, while also exploring the potential integration of renewable energy with water management and agricultural production.

Through the discussions and field visit, both sides gained further insights into the potential development of interdisciplinary research models that integrate renewable energy with efficient water resource management and climate-resilient agricultural production.

Expanding Research, Training, and Academic Exchange

In addition to the areas of joint research, the working session also explored opportunities to co-supervise students and graduate students, exchange staff and researchers, conduct joint research and experiments, publish scientific findings, and facilitate technology transfer.

Both sides aim to identify a priority research area to develop into a Vietnam–Korea collaborative project proposal, while also considering the implementation of pilot activities at Tra Vinh University and the STARS Water Center. This is seen as an important next step toward translating initial academic exchanges into concrete and practically applicable research collaboration activities.

In particular, the STARS Water Center and the College of Engineering, Yeungnam University are working toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Establishing a formal cooperation framework is expected to provide a foundation for strengthening collaboration in scientific research, training, academic exchange, human resource development, and the implementation of joint projects.

Towards Research Collaboration for Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta

The visit and working session with Yeungnam University marked an important step in expanding the STARS Water Center’s international cooperation network. The discussions not only opened opportunities to leverage the complementary research strengths of the two institutions but also focused on developing highly applicable solutions to address challenges related to water, energy, environment, and agricultural production in the Mekong Delta.

Moving forward, the STARS Water Center will continue working with the College of Engineering, Yeungnam University to further develop the areas discussed, with a view to signing an MoU and establishing collaborative programs in research, training, and academic exchange. Through these efforts, the two institutions aim to gradually develop joint research projects, promote the application of science and technology, and contribute to sustainable development and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.