On January 29, the final review conference of the project entitled “Circular Economy Knowledge Hub: Promoting Multi-Disciplinary Research, Capacity Building and Leadership” was held at Pullman Hotel, Hanoi. This project is led by the School of Environmental Science and Technology (HUST) in collaboration with Aston Business School (UK) and VN-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education, the University of Danang.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, Dean of School of Environmental Science and Technology (HUST) at the Conference

According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, circular economy is an economic model which manifests a complete circle from designing and producing to providing service delivery. This circle has to be operated in a way that encourages reusing materials and reducing negative environmental impacts. A circular economy includes four main components: saving resources, protecting the environment, promoting economic development, and social benefits.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, Dean of School of Environmental Science and Technology, said “Currently, our economic growth is limited by environmental pollution and degradation. In the world, many countries are moving towards a circular economic model which encourages sustainable development and environmental protection”.

One of the barriers to adopt circular economy in Vietnam is a lack of awareness, skills, and experiences among the workforce. Therefore, the project aims to create a CE knowledge hub based at HUST to facilitate CE adoption in Vietnam through training businesses, policy makers, higher education institutions, and researchers, while conducting research to strengthen cooperation between all beneficiaries.

Project activities that have been carried out include: (1) assessing of needs, capacities and gaps in knowledge and skills of beneficiaries; (2) building the CE knowledge hub; and (3) providing training workshops on capacity building in applying and implementing CE. The project’s results are expected to contribute innovations and useful references to enterprises' supply chains and to government strategies (e.g., Green Economy, Low C, Industry 4.0, Environment) to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Bui Thi Ngoc Thuy, Deputy Head of External Affairs Office, HUST speaks at the Conference

Dr. Bui Thi Ngoc Thuy, Deputy Head of the External Affairs Office of HUST, said: “As the leading technical university in Vietnam, HUST places a great emphasis on solving environmental challenges. The result of this project today demonstrates the University’s strong commitment to collaborate with domestic and foreign organizations for a green and sustainable living environment”.