On June 22, 2026, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) held a warm and formal farewell meeting for Mr. Shinoda Takanobu, Deputy Chief Representative of the JICA Vietnam Office (2023–2026), on the occasion of the completion of his three-year assignment in Vietnam. The event also welcomed his successor, Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi, who has officially begun his new term in Vietnam.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang, Vice Rector of HUCE; Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Viet Nga, Vietnamese Project Leader and Director of the Vietnam–Japan Advanced Technology Institute; as well as key members of the Project Management Unit.
In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang expressed his sincere appreciation for Mr. Shinoda’s valuable contributions and steadfast support throughout his three-year tenure. Thanks to Mr. Shinoda’s close guidance, timely assistance, and strong sense of responsibility, the collaborative projects between JICA and HUCE successfully overcame numerous challenges, were implemented smoothly and effectively, and achieved many important milestones.
On this occasion, the Vice Rector also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese people for their tremendous support toward Vietnam’s development. He emphasized that the project’s achievements hold value not only during implementation but also continue to generate lasting impacts well beyond its completion. This serves as clear evidence of the project’s significance, practicality, and sustainability for the construction sector and the broader pursuit of sustainable development in Vietnam.
In response, Mr. Shinoda Takanobu expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership established with HUCE over the years. He shared that his time working in Vietnam had left him with many memorable experiences and expressed his hope to continue supporting HUCE in particular and Vietnam in general through future development initiatives.
During the meeting, Mr. Shinoda formally introduced his successor, Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi, the newly appointed Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office. As an experienced expert who has previously worked effectively in Vietnam—particularly with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction—Mr. Kobayashi is expected to build upon the strong foundation already established and provide continued support for joint projects between JICA and HUCE in the years ahead.
Representing the project team, Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Viet Nga, Vietnamese Project Leader, expressed her deep gratitude to Mr. Shinoda Takanobu and warmly welcomed Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi to his new role. According to Prof. Nga, the SATREPS project plays a pivotal role in advancing domestic wastewater management technologies through innovative, energy-efficient, and resource-optimized solutions. The project’s practical value has been clearly demonstrated through the implementation of Pilot Plant No. 2 at HUCE and Pilot Plant No. 3 at Hai Phong Water Supply Plant, which is currently in the final design stage. The successful localization of technologies developed under the SATREPS project is expected to create a major breakthrough, helping urban areas address water pollution challenges and develop smarter environmental infrastructure systems.
The meeting concluded in a warm and friendly atmosphere, further strengthening the longstanding partnership between HUCE and JICA while opening a promising new chapter of cooperation for both institutions.
