(VLU, 13/05/2021) - From May 10 to May 11, 2021, the Faculty of Technology - Van Lang University held a workshop to launch the Project: “Nano-Assisted bioremediation of diffused dioxins in soil and sediment” - a cooperation research project between Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT, Thailand) and Asian Institute of Technology in Vietnam (AITVN).

From 2021 to 2023, the Faculty of Technology - Van Lang University cooperated with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT, Thailand) and the Asian Institute of Technology in Vietnam (AITVN) to carry out the project “Nano-Assisted bioremediation of diffused dioxins in soil and sediment” related to the treatment of dioxin residues in soil. The project is funded by USAID.

The seminar was held at Van Lang University and connected online with partners

At Van Lang University, the workshop welcomed the participation of  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu - Rector of Van Lang University, Dean and lecturers of Faculty of Technology - Van Lang university; representatives from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology; USAID Representative in Vietnam. On the online panel, there was the presence of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; USAID Vietnam (Hanoi Office), Can Tho University; Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; Nation Academic of Science, USA; Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dong Nai province; City People's Committee, Bien Hoa.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu - Rector of Van Lang University attended the project kickoff session.

At the Project Kick-off Workshop, Van Lang University and its co-organizers introduced project stakeholders; delivered a brief introduction of research methods from previous related projects; present the research methods to be applied in the project.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Thanh from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology presented ideas for projects of the workshop.

Dr. Nguyen Duy Binh, Department of Natural Resources and Environment presented on the topic: Previous findings for biodegradation of dioxin contaminated soil in Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh - Dean of Faculty of Technology Van Lang University discussed the project as well as the plan in different phases of the project.

The first workshop (May 10, 2021) with the theme “Joint Kick-off Meeting of three PEER Cycle 9 Projects in Vietnam” discussed the projects:

• Project 1 “Nano-assisted bioremediation of diffused dioxins in soil and sediment” - AIT/AITVN (Nguyen Kim Oanh)
• Project 2 “Biochar facilitated bioremediation: a green solution for dioxin/furan pollution” - HCMUT (Dang Thuong Huyen)
• Project 3 “Developing a framework for the identification of soil limiting factors for bioremediation of dioxin compounds in contaminated soils of Vietnam” – Can Tho University (Nguyen Khoi Nghia)

The seminar took place on the morning of May 11, 2021 with the following topics:

• Presentation on methodology and plan for year 1 from VLU: seeding and enrichment of microbes and experiment set-up
• Presentation on methodology and plan for year 1 from HCMUT: Nano-particle coating and experiment set up
•  Presentation on methodology and plan for year 1 from AITVN: overall project management, supports for VLU and HCMUT in the experiment set-up and monitoring

The attendants took photos for the international project kick-off seminar.

Mai Thy
Photo: Lee Minh Phuong