From September 15 to September 25, 2024, a delegation from Ha Long University led by Dr. Phan Thi Hue, Vice Rector of the University, attended a progress report session with the sponsor and relevant representatives at the Institute for Research and Transfer of Recycling Technology of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfsburg, Germany.

As part of the implementation plan of the International Cooperation Project: Prevention, reduction and recycling of fishnets polluting Vietnamese coastal waters (REVFIN), from September 15 to September 25, 2024, the delegation of Ha Long University led by Dr. Phan Thi Hue, Vice Rector of the University, attended the progress report meeting with the sponsors and relevant representatives at the Institute for Research and Transfer of Recycling Technology of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfsburg, Germany.

Project members taking a souvenir photo

The meeting was held in the presence of Mr. Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of Wolfsburg, representative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany (project sponsor), together with leaders and project participants from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Nha Trang University, Kien Giang University, and the Institute of Marine Research.

After more than a year of implementation, the REVFIN project has completed a survey of 1,500 fishermen in Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang province and nearly 50 fishing vessel enterprises in Vietnam, thereby establishing a data system on fishing gear waste in coastal areas. The project has also collected samples of discarded nets and fishing gear for scientists to analyze and find recycling solutions. It is expected that these solutions will be introduced at recycling demonstration centers installed at partner universities in Vietnam, including Nha Trang University, Kien Giang University and Ha Long University.

During the working program, as a member of the REVFIN Project, Ha Long University reported the results achieved since the project was approved by the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province until now, and explained to the Sponsor – The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany about the favorable conditions as well as difficulties when implementing the project in Quang Ninh in particular, and in Vietnam in general.

Dr. Chu Luong Tri, REVFIN Project Coordinator, reporting on the project implementation results at Ha Long University

Dr. Phan Thi Hue, Vice Rector, discussed the implementation of the REVFIN project in Quang Ninh with the representative sponsors.

With a great appreciation for the efforts to implement the Project among the members in Ha Long University, Vice Rector of Ostfalia University, Prof. Dr. Thomas Benda expressed his hope that Ha Long University would continue to pay attention and support the REVFIN Project to complete on schedule. Prof. Thomas Benda also shared the difficulties of Ha Long University as the member was severely affected by a historic storm (typhoon Yagi).

At the plenary report session, Mr. Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of Wolfsburg, delivered a speech welcoming and encouraging innovation and harmonious development cooperation between Wolfsburg and its partners in Vietnam, primarily through activities in the fields of culture – education – labor training. Ms. Susanne Altvater – Senior Manager and Mr. Axel Borchmann – Deputy Head of the Marine Environment Protection Department of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany – the project sponsor – discussed with partners the orientation of future cooperation. Accordingly, the German government always encourages and prioritizes funding for cooperation activities in the fields of environment and circular economy, towards the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of Wolfsburg, took a souvenir photo with Dr. Phan Thi Hue, Vice President of Ha Long University.

During the working program, the delegation also did experiments and exchanged with the Institute of Recycling Research, Osfalia University; Surveyed and studied automatic recycling models in Wolfsburg city; Discussed project management and coordination; Project finance and communication.

Discussing on project communication 

REVFIN is a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany to study the current situation and propose technical solutions to prevent, reduce and improve the recycling capacity of fishing gear waste in Vietnam coastal waters. The project is implemented with 4 major members: Ostfalia University (Germany), Ha Long University, Nha Trang University and Kien Giang University.

Within the framework of the project, 4 lecturers and 8 students of Ha Long University will be trained at Ostfalia University on the content of material recycling research as well as multimedia communication.