Van Lang University's Faculty of Environment Continues to Co-Develop an International Project on Treating Dioxin Residues in Soil
After the initial kick-off workshop in May 2021, Van Lang University's Faculty of Environment has continued its collaboration to organize a follow-up workshop. Held on July 13, 2022, this workshop announced the progress of the international project PEER Cycle 9: "Nano-Assisted Bioremediation of Diffused Dioxins in Soil and Sediment." The event attracted the participation of numerous esteemed domestic and international researchers.
The project, titled "Nano-Assisted Bioremediation of Diffused Dioxins in Soil and Sediment," is a major scientific initiative. It is co-organized by Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT, Thailand), and the Asian Institute of Technology in Vietnam (AITVN). Running from 2021 to 2023, the project focuses on the treatment of dioxin residues in soil and is funded by USAID, aiming to promote sustainable development.
The event utilized both live and online formats, engaging domestic and international participants. Attendees included representatives from USAID in the United States, the Air Force-Air Defense Command, the Ministry of Defense, the Center for Heat, Viet Nga Zone, K-Test Center, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences - USA, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dong Nai Province, and the People's Committee of Bien Hoa City, along with Cheng University Shiu - Taiwan.
Representatives from the Funding Organization - USAID:
- Ms. Christine Karin: USAID Representative in Vietnam
- Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong: USAID Representative in Vietnam
Representative from the Professional and Financial Management Unit - American Academy of Sciences - NAS: Ms. Kelly Robbins
Representative from the National Steering Committee on Land Mine and Toxic Chemical Consequences in Vietnam: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hoang - Director of the Institute of New Technology, Office 701
Representatives from Project Partners:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh - Honorary Professor of AIT - Thailand, Project Manager
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu - President of Van Lang University, Project Co-Chair
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh - Dean, Faculty of Environment, Van Lang University
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Thanh - Lecturer at Polytechnic University, Project Co-Chair
- Dr. Phung Van Dong - Director of AIT Center in Vietnam
- Dr. Nguyen Duy Binh - Representative of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment
- Prof. Danna Barr - Emory University
- Dr. Eri Saikawa - Emory University
Within the framework of the workshop, Prof. Danna Barr from Emory University provided foundational knowledge about the characteristics of dioxins and their environmental and health impacts. Subsequently, research team representatives reported on the progress of the PEER Cycle 9 project, "Nano-Assisted Bioremediation of Diffused Dioxins in Soil and Sediment." Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, the project leader, presented an overview of the research objectives and content. The project aims to employ nano-assisted biological treatment methods to comprehensively remove dioxins from contaminated soil and sediment. With a treatment process designed to be simple and easy to understand, this method is easily applicable to hotspots, converting passive landfills to accelerate decomposition.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh – Dean, Faculty of Environment, Van Lang University, spoke on behalf of the research team at Van Lang. She presented the team's activities over the past year and announced future plans and methods, including solutions to enrich microorganisms for treating dioxin-contaminated soil and sludge. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Thanh, Co-Director of the project from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, reported on the project's progress and some research results related to material synthesis for dioxin treatment.
During the meeting, the Faculty of Environment welcomed two esteemed speakers to the conference. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Cam Ha, from Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan—a renowned researcher—shared invaluable experiences in the research and construction of dioxin treatment facilities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Huynh Thuy Duong, a leading researcher in the field of Biotechnology, presented analytical technologies for identifying microbial strains that consume dioxins.
In the near future, experts will continue working on the international project "Nano-assisted bioremediation of diffused dioxins in soil and sediment." The aim is to develop technology for treating soil and sediment in areas contaminated by dioxins, such as Bien Hoa Airport, Phu Cat Airport, and Da Nang Airport, with the goal of converting treated land into public areas suitable for tree planting.
News: The Faculty of Environment
Photos: Tieu Thinh
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