VinUni’s Vice Provosts David Harrison and Laurent El Ghaoui, in collaboration with Professor Andrew W. Taylor-Robbinson, are spearheading a transformative initiative—the Global Center for Climate Risk and Resilience: Southeast Asia as a Living Lab (SEALL). This pioneering project, under the leadership of Professor Helen Nguyen at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is set to address the pressing challenges of climate change in Southeast Asia. Prof. Helen Nguyen and Prof. Ozan Tonguz, the project’s PI and Co-PI, are also members of VinUni’s CEI Advisory Board.

VinUni Faculty contributing to the SEALL Project
(Image Source: NFS)

• SEALL Essentials: funded by the US National Science Foundation with grant number 2330308 and a budget of $250,000, with Vietnam chosen as the focal point for implementation, is a testament to international collaboration. It unites experts from the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Florida, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham with researchers from VinUniversity, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, the University of Public Health in Vietnam, the Asian Institute of Technology, and the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Thailand, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and the National University of Singapore. The shared vision is to build capacity for future research, education, and the implementation of critical climate mitigation and adaptation strategies for coastal communities.

• Resilience in Southeast Asia: The project envisions a climate-resilient Southeast Asia that will not only safeguard public health, trade, and global travel but also serve as a beacon for other regions facing similar challenges. Southeast Asia was chosen due to its unique attributes—housing 8.5% of the world’s population, marked by cultural diversity, dense coastal urban areas, poverty levels, rapid economic growth, and a pivotal role in global manufacturing.
• CEI’s Vital Roles: Center for Environment Intelligence (CEI) at VinUni plays an indispensable role in SEALL. CEI’s primary functions include securing grants and implementing projects, underpinning its commitment to tangible change. Moreover, VinUni will serve as the Hubr for collaborative efforts, hosting workshops that bring together renowned experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from across the globe. These gatherings facilitate in-depth discussions and innovative solutions for global climate change adaptation.
• Empowering Future Leaders: CEI and VinUni’s commitment extends to nurturing talent. We organize workshops and create opportunities for VinUni students, laying the foundation for undergraduate research programs at CEI. This investment in the next generation of climate change champions underscores VinUni’s dedication to a sustainable future.

CEI and VinUni’s leadership in SEALL exemplifies its commitment to research, innovation, and global cooperation in tackling the urgent challenges of climate change. It sets the stage for meaningful change, not only in Southeast Asia but also as a blueprint for the world.

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For more information:

1. NSF, international partners, invest $76.4 million in inaugural Global Centers Competition awards | NSF – National Science Foundation
2. https://original.newsbreak.com/@illinois-updates-1665607/3167235561162-local-cee-professor-secures-nsf-grant-for-climate-resilience-research-benefiting-our-community
3. https://cee.illinois.edu/news/59285?fbclid=IwAR1Dx0fOHMakmPKAEs0at7tEIeAKbmPL20NAaieLs8s1v-nCTxxqXoXrrWQ