The Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology, in collaboration with the University of Tasmania, organised a short-term course titled Changing Coast. This was to promote academic exchange and strengthen connections between students majoring in oceanography at VNUHCM-University of Science and their counterparts from the University of Tasmania (Australia).

Instructors and lecturers from VNUHCM-University of Science, the University of Tasmania (Australia), and Hokkaido University (Japan) are experts in oceanography, marine environments, and climate change.

The “Changing Coast” international course, which ran from 13 to 25 November 2023, offered a variety of lessons and activities focused on shoreline change, coastal processes, environmental issues, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and climate change.

Students practised using remote sensing and GIS tools to calculate sea-level rise and learned about hydrodynamic simulation tools for assessing water environmental factors in coastal regions. They also visited sites in the Mekong Delta, including Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, Ba Chua Xu Temple, and the Oc Eo archaeological site. Additionally, they explored the Cai Rang floating market and took boat trips along the Tien River near aquaculture sites. A two-day field trip in the Cu Lao Dung area of Soc Trang included measuring and surveying along the Hau River, collecting water and sediment samples, and processing data. The course also featured group games and campfire activities.

This short-term international course enhanced students’ English skills and facilitated cultural exchanges, deepening their understanding of environmental issues.