Several promising topics were discussed during Dr Adyel’s trip, with the potential to foster long-term partnerships:
Strengthened Collaborations
The primary focus was on enhancing partnerships between RMIT Australia, RMIT Vietnam, and local Vietnamese researchers and institutions. This collaborative environment aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources for future projects, contributing to sustainable development in both regions.
Joint Grant Proposals
Discussions began around the development of joint grant proposals between interested researchers. These proposals will focus on creating liveable cities, with particular emphasis on urban stormwater management, urban heat island mitigation, blue carbon accounting, and plastic waste management. Identifying funding opportunities from international development organisations was also a key part of these discussions, as these resources are crucial for research initiatives.
Pilot-Scale Projects
The feasibility of initiating pilot-scale projects for Honours and Master’s students was explored. These projects would act as foundational experiments before scaling into larger research endeavours, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in their fields of study.
Joint Supervision
The potential for joint supervision of Master’s and PhD students was another significant point of discussion. This initiative would encourage academic collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two institutions. Plans for student exchange programmes and visits between Australia and Vietnam were also explored to further enrich students’ educational experiences.
Dr Adyel’s visit marked an important step towards strengthening collaborations between RMIT Vietnam, RMIT Australia, and local Vietnamese institutions. The discussions held during this trip form a foundation for future joint research initiatives, aligned with the pressing need for sustainable solutions in urban environments. The commitment to fostering a collaborative research ecosystem bodes well for the development of innovative approaches to addressing environmental challenges in both Vietnam and Australia.