RMIT Vietnam awarded European Union research funds

Tiếng Việt

RMIT Vietnam awarded European Union research funds

RMIT University Vietnam has secured a partnership in a €13.4 million research project as part of the EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) research and innovation funding scheme.

The award is for research into the way innovative nature-based solutions can be deployed in cities for climate change resilience as well as efficient water management.

Vietnam’s Quy Nhon in the province Binh Dinh is one of three cities outside of Europe in focus, along with Medellín in Colombia and Chengdu in China.

Quy Nhon in Central Vietnam is one of only three cities outside Europe to be focused on in this EU funded research project.

With the assistance of RMIT Europe, RMIT Vietnam secured the funding through its involvement in a research consortium led by Fundación CARTIF, a research and technology centre in Spain.

The consortium has 28 members including research centres, industry groups and universities across Belgium, China, Colombia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. RMIT's strategic partner Arup is also a member.

RMIT Vietnam’s participation has been led by Associate Professor Sarah Bekessy from RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research and coordinated in Europe by Dr Sergio Tirado and Dr Marta Fernandez at RMIT Europe with the support of Associate Professor Thuy Nguyen Thanh at RMIT Vietnam.

RMIT Vietnam President Professor Gael McDonald said the H2020 funding award was a significant achievement for both the University and the country.

“It will contribute to showcasing RMIT Vietnam’s research capacity and potential as well as widen the door to future applications for European research funding in Vietnam,” she said.

“This project will deliver unique benefits to Vietnam through the development of knowledge as well as models for nature-based solutions for cities, with Quy Nhon in the country’s centre in focus.

“It will also help to foster citizen insight and awareness on global environmental challenges such as climate change and water management,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing our work with RMIT Europe, who were instrumental in identifying and securing this partnership, across future European research funding opportunities."

Story: Karen Matthews

Campus and community

14 December 2016