As one of the departments with strong capabilities in training and research, supported by a team of highly experienced lecturers, the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment has been contributing significantly to the dynamic development of USTH.
With the mission of developing academic programs that provide a solid and modern scientific foundation, the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment provides students with the competencies needed to compete internationally upon graduation, particularly the ability to adapt to rapidly evolving technological advancements. Currently, the Department offers two undergraduate programs: Chemistry and Applied Environmental Sciences (AES).
The Applied Environmental Sciences (AES) program is an advanced, internationally oriented training program in Vietnam. It is developed by leading scientists from universities and research institutes in Vietnam and other countries such as the Philippines, France, and Germany, specializing in Environmental Science, Environmental Health, as well as Occupational Safety and Health.
Students enrolled in the AES program gain in-depth foundational knowledge and essential analytical, assessment, and technological application skills. These competencies enable them to effectively address urgent environmental issues such as climate change, pollution of soil–water–air, advanced waste treatment technologies, environmental impacts on public health, and occupational safety management.
With a focus on practical application and contemporary research, the AES program aims to develop a high-quality workforce that contributes to Vietnam’s sustainable development in the context of globalization and current environmental challenges.
The Chemistry program is designed based on careful selection and adaptation of existing chemistry curricula from several prestigious universities in France. Teaching is delivered by a team of highly experienced lecturers who are actively engaged in research and technological development, both from USTH and its partner universities in France. Students may choose to enroll in a single-degree program (earning a bachelor’s degree awarded by USTH) or a dual-degree program (receiving degrees jointly conferred by USTH and the French partner university).
The enrollment scale of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment and the AES program at USTH has steadily increased over the years, reflecting the programs’ reputation and appeal to students nationwide. Students are carefully selected, many coming from specialized high schools and high-quality educational institutions, including two students who achieved First Prize in the National Chemistry Olympiad and received full scholarships. Notably, student Hoang Huy Tu was awarded an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Europe.
The curriculum closely integrates theory with practical application, offering extensive laboratory sessions, field research, and surveys. Students are encouraged to engage in research early on and participate in internships at USTH, institutes of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, as well as at international research institutions in countries such as France, the UK, Japan, and South Korea.
Research is a key strength of the Department. Its research groups are conducting a wide range of specialized studies in collaboration with scientific organizations both domestically and internationally. The Environmental Research Group focuses on the analysis, monitoring, and assessment of hazardous pollutants in soil, water, and air, while also investigating their toxicity and impact on ecosystems. The group has collaborated with the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) through projects such as LOTUS, SOOT-SEA, and PLUME, as well as the 3SIP2C project with the United Kingdom, and has received funding from NAFOSTED and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Research outcomes have been published in numerous reputable international journals, including Marine Pollution Bulletin, Science of the Total Environment, Atmospheric Pollution Research, and other related academic journals.
Additionally, the Chemical Energy Conversion and Storage (CECS) research group, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Phong, is one of the Department’s leading groups, funded by NAFOSTED and supported by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the VINIF Foundation, the U.S. Navy Research Fund, and the French Embassy in Hanoi. The group’s research has been published in top-tier journals in Chemistry and Materials Science, such as Nature Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Chemical Communications.
Currently, the Department maintains research and training collaborations with numerous domestic and international partners, including the Department of Physics – Hanoi National University of Education, the Institute of Materials Science – Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the INOMAR Center – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, UPEC University, Aix-Marseille University, University of Reims, LCC – Toulouse, Konkuk University, among others.
The guiding principle of the Department’s staff, lecturers, and students is:
“Happiness in learning and research as a path to achieving great goals.”
