On June 19, 2026, the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM-UScience), hosted a scientific seminar entitled “Navigating the Future: Harnessing Regional Ocean Models to Guide Climate Adaptation in Asia.” The event served as an important academic forum, fostering connections among education, research, and international collaboration in the fields of Oceanography, Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environmental Science, while offering new perspectives on the role of ocean modeling in climate change adaptation.
The seminar attracted the participation of numerous lecturers, researchers, and students from the Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology under the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics. It provided a valuable opportunity for the academic community to engage with advanced global research trends, particularly in the context of climate change, which is posing increasingly complex challenges for Asia and Vietnam.
A highlight of the seminar was the keynote presentation by Prof. Javier Zavala-Garay, a member of the Ocean Modeling Group, Rutgers University (USA). In his presentation, Prof. Zavala-Garay introduced the application of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) in developing regional ocean models to simulate, analyze, and assess changes in marine environments across Southeast Asia, with particular focus on studies conducted in Vietnam and Indonesia.
The seminar focused on clarifying the role of regional ocean models as an essential scientific tool for providing in-depth data and insights into marine dynamic processes. These models contribute significantly to climate change research, environmental forecasting, and the development of adaptation strategies tailored to the specific conditions of each region.
In particular, as extreme phenomena such as sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, ocean current variability, and changes in ocean temperature continue to intensify, the application of advanced numerical models is increasingly recognized as a critical foundation for improving forecasting capabilities, supporting policymaking, and promoting sustainable marine resource management.
Through the seminar, participating lecturers and students not only gained access to modern research methodologies in ocean modeling but also developed a more practical understanding of how scientific tools can be applied to address marine environmental challenges in the context of global climate change.
The seminar also reaffirmed the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics’ commitment to promoting advanced academic activities, expanding international collaboration, and enhancing research capacity for students and researchers. At the same time, it marked another important step in bridging academic training with practical research, contributing to the preparation of high-quality human resources in the fields of Oceanography, Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environmental Science to meet future sustainable development demands.