On September 25, 2025, the Department of Space and Earth Sciences (DSaE) at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) welcomed two distinguished scholars from Michigan State University (MSU): Professor Yadu Pokhrel and Dr. Raju Pokharel. The meeting provided an opportunity for both universities to share academic insights, explore research synergies, and discuss the development of long-term cooperation.
The event brought together members of the DSaE. In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Ngo Duc Thanh, Co-Director of the department, presented an overview of USTH’s development, its academic mission, and the activities of DSaE. He emphasized that collaborations with leading international institutions such as MSU are vital for strengthening USTH’s research capacity and for creating opportunities that enable students to engage with global scientific communities.
Following the introduction, Professor Yadu Pokhrel provided an overview of the College of Engineering at MSU and highlighted its strengths in interdisciplinary research and international engagement. He also presented the Asia Hub initiative, which he co-founded to connect universities and research teams across Asia. Asia Hub aims to foster researchers and students exchanges, joint projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations that address pressing global challenges in areas such as food, energy, environment, and health. Professor Pokhrel further shared insights from his research on the Mekong River, showing how hydropower development has affected water flow and flooding in the lower basin, particularly in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. He stressed the importance of integrated monitoring and regional cooperation to ensure sustainable development for millions of people who depend on the river.
Dr. Raju Pokharel then gave an insight into the role of forestry in addressing climate change. He underlined the importance of forests in carbon storage and climate regulation, drawing on international experiences to illustrate sustainable management strategies. For Vietnam, with over 46 percent of its land covered by forests, these strategies offer significant opportunities to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Dr. Pokharel noted that effective forestry policies could support the country’s long-term climate commitments, including its Net Zero 2050 target.
The meeting generated several important outcomes. USTH lecturers benefited from the scientific knowledge shared by the MSU delegation, while both sides expressed their strong interest in expanding collaboration. The discussion encompassed continuing joint research in shared areas of interest, developing exchange programs for students, and creating scholarship opportunities that would allow USTH students to undertake international internships. These commitments reflect a shared determination to strengthen academic cooperation in both depth and scope.
Looking ahead, USTH and MSU agreed on the potential to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. Such an agreement would establish a solid framework for sustained collaboration in research, teaching, and capacity building. This future-oriented step would not only enhance USTH’s global profile but also provide MSU with a dynamic partner in Southeast Asia.
The significance of this meeting lies not only in the exchange of expertise but also in the shared vision it represents. By engaging with leading international scholars, USTH reaffirmed its strategy of global integration and its mission to contribute to solutions for urgent challenges such as water management, climate change, and sustainable development. For MSU, the engagement underscored the university’s commitment to building meaningful partnerships in Asia.
