On the morning of March 13, 2024, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting for the SATREPS Project “Establishing Sustainable Drinking Water Supply System Resilient to the Contamination of Drinking Water Sources” was held at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. The project is jointly implemented by Hanoi University of Civil Engineering and Nagasaki University over a five-year period (2023–2028), with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Overview of the meeting hall

Attending the meeting from the Japanese side were Ms. Junko Uno – Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency Headquarters; Mr. Takanobu Shinoda – Deputy Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency; Prof. Takahiro Fujioka of Nagasaki University, the Japanese Project Leader, along with project experts and members.

From the Vietnamese side, participants included Mr. Tran Hoai Anh – Deputy Director General of the Technical Infrastructure Agency under the Ministry of Construction; Mr. Cao Van Quy from Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company; Assoc. Prof. Hoang Tung – President of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice President and Project Director; Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Viet Nga – Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Vietnamese Project Leader; Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of the International Cooperation Office, together with experts and project members.

In his remarks at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Hoang Tung, President of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, expressed his pride that this is the second SATREPS project of the university to receive support from Japan Science and Technology Agency and Japan International Cooperation Agency. He requested the project members to present an overview of the project following the approval of the revised project document by Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, highlighting the challenges, advantages, achievements, and remaining issues that need to be addressed. Based on these discussions, the project's activity plan for the following year, as well as directions for subsequent years, will be adjusted in accordance with actual conditions to ensure the achievement of the project objectives.

Assoc. Prof. Hoang Tung, President of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, delivered remarks at the meeting

On behalf of the Committee, Assoc. Prof. Hoang Tung expressed his sincere appreciation to the Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Japan Science and Technology Agency for their continuous support and cooperation throughout the project implementation. He also extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Construction, Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company, Thuy Loi University, and all project members for their close collaboration and dedicated efforts in effectively carrying out the project activities.

Mr. Takanobu Shinoda, Deputy Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, delivered remarks at the meeting

subsequently, Mr. Takanobu Shinoda, Deputy Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, stated that the meeting was an essential event in the implementation process of the SATREPS Project “Establishing Sustainable Drinking Water Supply System Resilient to the Contamination of Drinking Water Sources.” At the meeting, the parties actively reported on the project's implementation progress in order to effectively discuss existing issues and challenges, thereby ensuring practical outcomes after five years and achieving the project's goal of addressing contamination challenges toward safe and sustainable water supply.

Mr. Tran Hoai Anh, Deputy Director General of the Technical Infrastructure Agency under the Ministry of Construction, delivered remarks at the meeting

In his remarks at the meeting, Mr. Tran Hoai Anh, Deputy Director General of the Technical Infrastructure Agency under the Ministry of Construction, stated that water resources in Vietnam are currently declining in both quality and quantity due to pollution caused by various factors. The Government of Vietnam has therefore prioritized the development and application of advanced, efficient, and sustainable water treatment technologies to protect public health. Mr. Tran Hoai Anh highly appreciated the project and affirmed that the Ministry of Construction will continue to support and accompany the project team in achieving its objectives, contributing to sustainable socio-economic and environmental development.

The participants exchanged and discussed the project contents and implementation progress

After the meeting, on behalf of the Vietnamese SATREPS Project Management Board, Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Viet Nga stated that the project team will take into consideration the comments and agreements reached during the meeting and make the necessary adjustments to ensure the effective implementation of the project in the following year.

Source: Communication and Admission Department - Hanoi University of Civil Engineering