Efforts made to develop human resources in climate change studies

ABO/VNA - Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change. In order to deal with the urgent situation, the hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography sectors – which are closely linked to studies in climate change adaption– have adopted numerous measures to develop high-quality human resources.

Sea levels rising, salt intrusion, coastal erosion, unusual storms, floods, and land degradation.

Vietnam is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, with massive exposure to natural hazards.

In order to undertake climate change adaptation activities effectively and methodically, Vietnam is in special need of a high-quality human resources in meteorology, hydrology, and oceanography. However, according to experts, the talent pool remains shallow.

Accordingly, there are plenty of job opportunities awaiting students pursuing studies in hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography.

Apart from industry-specific organisations like research institutes, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and its localised departments, and the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, etc.; many other state, non-governmental, and private organisations are eager to take on employees with a profound knowledge in these fields for product research and development..

In response to the increasing human resource demand, the leading educational institution for Hydrology, Meteorology, and Oceanography studies, which is part of the Hanoi University of Science, has been paying heed to curriculum improvement and innovation to ensure quality of graduates.

The university in general and the faculty in particular frequently hold seminars and dialogues with recruiters and former students to adjust their curriculum towards a more practical education.

Students pursuing Hydrology, Meteorology, and Oceanography are also encouraged to join their lecturers in conducting state- and provincial-level scientific studies. The research works not only nurture students’ passion for their fields of study, but also contribute to the development of the hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography sector in Vietnam.

In order to encourage students to keep up their studies, the sector in general and the faculty in particular have granted numerous scholarships for students, such as scholarships by the Vietnam Meteorology and Hydrological Administration, Duong Quang Ham, Yamada, Pony Chung, and Mitsubishi.

The Faculty of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Oceanography under the Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University has been contributing most of the talent pool for the sector in Vietnam.

The faculty receives hundreds of applicants from across Vietnam for both graduate and post-graduate programmes in all three fields of study: meteorology, water resources and the environment, and oceanography.

(Source: VNA)