The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, hosted a Virtual Book Launch for the upcoming book entitled ‘The Mekong Delta Environmental Research Guide Book: The Chronic, The Emerging, and Future Directions” on April 18th,2023. The book, which will be published by Elsevier, is designed to be the first “Guidebook” for environmental researchers at all career stages who have chosen the Mekong region as the study area, providing an overview of key environmental issues ranging from the local to the provincial to the delta-wide level.

This event brought together around 80 Attendees who are fellow authors, hydrologists, environmentalists, policymakers, potential contributors, students and members working in the region and beyond. The event started with a welcome address delivered by Professor M.S. Babel, Water Engineering & Management, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and followed by a brief introduction on ESCA book series by Dr. Steve Mitchel, University of Portsmouth, UK.

Opening Remarks by Professor M.S. Babel

Introduction on ESCA book series by Dr. Steve Mitchel

The 1st phase of the book launch event was probed into various themes of talk on the Mekong region: “Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET): Water Security Issues” by Dr. Ridhi Saluja, SUMERNET Multistakeholder Engagement Coordinator, “The Need for Capacity Building in the Mekong Region” by Dr. Phan Nguyen, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland and “Hydrological Studies in Lower Mekong River Basin using Earth Observations and Modeling” by Prof. Venkataraman Lakshmi, University of Virginia, USA. The speakers also raised the need and ideas to look upon the Mekong Delta for future study and praised the forthcoming book as a timely contribution.

“Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET): Water Security Issues” by Dr. Ridhi Saluja

“The Need for Capacity Building in the Mekong Region” by Dr. Phan Nguyen

The event continued with an introduction and remarks from the co-editors of the upcoming book: Dr. Edward Park and Dr. Tran Duc Dung from NTU and Dr. Ho Huu Loc from AIT, respectively. They have also shared a brief outline of their various ongoing research work before a coffee break.

Remarks by Dr. Edward Park

A brief address by Dr. Ho Huu Loc providing an outline of the book began at the second phase of the event. His speech shed light on the inspiration behind the book, targeted the audience, and suggested book chapter themes for publication.

Keynote speech by Dr. Ho Huu Loc

Following that, the editors moderated a lively discussion on the book’s contents among the discussants from academia, private and public sectors and ensued the following synthesis, constructive comments, and suggestions.

  • High quality book as valuable resources to disseminated audiences worldwide related to Mekong supported by ECSA- Elsevier.
  • The timely contribution “Guide Book” will enhance knowledge sharing, networking, collaboration and education.
  • Climate and environmental changes, groundwater modelling, land subsidence in Mekong delta need to be addressed as role of the book.
  • Research related to change of natural resources (water and land) and its challenges for future agricultural production in Mekong Delta should be explored.
  • Research policy developments, policy advocacy, analytical and planning approaches should be covered.

Synthesis of comments by Dr. Tran Duc Dung

Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Water Engineering & Management, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), gave a closing remarks for the book launch event and the event was overall turned out to be an immense success.

Closing Remarks by Prof. Sangam Shrestha