Dr. Duong Du Bui, a Vietnamese researcher at National University of Singapore (NUS) and a Graduate of Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU)
Do you remember Mr. Bui, whom we interviewed in the article "TMU Graduation Memorial Report" in the Interaction Asia Vol.17? He was the first Vietnamese to be awarded scholarships from "Asian Human Resource Fund" of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). Upon completion of his PhD study in TMU, he continues his research career as a Research Fellow at NUS. At the 11th ANMC21 Plenary Meeting held in Singapore on June 30, 2012, Mr. Bui was also at the Marina Bay Sands to see the plenary meeting. Our staff from TMG had an opportunity to talk with him. Mr. Bui kindly shared about his current activities and memories of life back in Tokyo. He also shared his thoughts on other subjects including his impression about the 11th ANMC21; introduction of his workplace and current researches; impacts of the study in Tokyo on his view; his vision on sustainable development of Asia. Here is an interview with Mr. Bui, who is playing an active part in Singapore as a "Kakehashi" over Asian cities.
"ANMC21 promoting international collaboration in an impressive way"
-What is your impression about the ANMC21 and the 11th ANMC21 Plenary Meeting-Singapore?
SDWA's booth at the Singapore International Water Week 2012
Thank you very much for the interview. I was first impressed about ANMC21 in 2008 when I applied for the Asian Human Resources Fund. Later, I joined Asian Human Network Databank and I contributed to Vol. 3 (2008) & Vol.17 (2011) of the Interaction Asia. In Sept. 2009, I attended 7th Asian Crisis Management Conference held in Tokyo. Today I am very glad to see the 11th Plenary Meeting-Singapore where representatives from member cities shared their views on the theme "Balancing Cities' Economic Growth with Social and Environmental Needs". In order to sustain urban development, there is strong need for enhancement of knowledge sharing and experience exchange among cities, especially among those in a regional context. I am interested in ANMC21 not only because of its goals for sustainable future, but also its impressive and unique approach in promoting international collaboration. ANMC21 involves both experts and policy makers in undertaking their common mission at city levels. In doing so, ANMC21 could bridge the gap between experts and policy makers and resolve disconnects between academics and practice. It can be obviously seen from the Plenary Meeting today that representatives from member cities were able to share their views from both scientific and management perspectives.
"We are nurturing water solutions for livable and sustainable cities"
-Could you tell us about your workplace and your current researches?
Mr. Bui explaining the projects he is involved in
After my graduation from TMU, I am fortunate to join Singapore Delft Water Alliance (SDWA) at NUS where I have an opportunity to work closely with nearly 100 highly motivated and talented researchers and staff from around 20 countries worldwide. NUS now ranks among leading global universities in the world and SDWA is an interdisciplinary and multi-national research centre of excellence for water knowledge hosted by the NUS in partnerships with Singapore's Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Dutch research institute-Deltares.NUS-Deltares partnership now is further strengthened with a new alliance namely NUSDeltaresto lead research and specialist consultancy services in Southeast Asia. SDWA and NUSDeltares carry out high-impact researches covering a broad range of water issues including policy analysis, hydro informatics, hydrology, morph dynamics, and water quality and ecology.
There is no doubt that climate change and urbanization now are of the greatest challenges that need innovative and sustainable solutions for tomorrow cities. My current researches' interests mainly focus on urban hydrology and storm water management. I and my team work for nurturing water solutions toward livable and sustainable cities in Singapore, South East Asia and beyond.
"The study in Tokyo, an important step shaping my views"
-How is your study at TMU impacting your research views and how are you doing recently to promote Asian collaboration, especially between Singapore, Tokyo and Hanoi?
Research talk at SDWA presented by a lecture from Hanoi University of Natural Res. Environment (HUNRE)
(After a little thought he answered) I would say three-year study under the supervision of Prof. Akira Kawamura at TMU was really fruitful to me. It unequivocally influences my views on research and the world. It made me realize that there is a strong and growing research demand for innovative solutions to address various water challenges worldwide, especially in cities. It also helped me further understand the critical importance of working in team and paying attention to detail while doing research. My works now focus not merely on technical issues but also require substantial efforts on other aspects such as project development, proposal writing, client facing and so on. Thus overall skills and experience that I developed during my time in Tokyo become particularly helpful.
After moving to Singapore, I continue my efforts to strengthen partnerships and promote collaboration with my colleagues in Asia, especially in Singapore, Tokyo and Hanoi. For example, I continue to collaborate with my former supervisor at TMU toward publications on my PhD topic of urban groundwater resources. This year, I supported Prof. Jiro Nishigori at TMU in arranging and welcoming TMU business students to experience Singapore-a Global Business Hub. Despite of distance, I keep close contacts with my international friends and colleagues, especially with those who are associated with the Asian Human Resources Fund. Furthermore, I am also attempting to bridge my colleagues in Tokyo and Singapore with those in Hanoi. Several meetings and seminars have been organized for sharing knowledge and exploring possible collaboration opportunities. One PhD candidate from Hanoi was introduced to join Prof. Kawamura's lab to continue the research topic of urban groundwater resources.
"Asia now is a global actor and its sustainability is challenged by climate change"
-What is vision and roles you wish to play for a sustainable Asia?
Evidence is mounting that climate change is the greatest challenge of the 21st century. Climate change seriously threatens the world's environmental, economic and social stability, especially Asian cities because most of them are located in coastal and low-lying areas which are highly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. Asia now is a global actor in both the economic and strategic arenas and I am proud of being a part of this. I wish to play an active role in securing its prosperity and sustainability. I will continue to engage in nurturing urban water solutions and promoting international collaboration toward sustainable development in SEA, South East Asia and beyond.
Field visit with regards to implementation of green roofs using plastics drainage modules
Today, for example, I discussed with Hanoi's delegation on opportunities to integrate a recently-proposed model, namely "VACI- Vuon-Ao-Chuong Infrastructures" into Hanoi urban planning in order to build a city which is livable and resilient to climate change. The concept of VACI is based on a Vietnamese indigenous knowledge, traditional practices for poor families to be self‐sustainable in rural regions. Originally, VAC means Garden‐Pond‐Livestock which provide vital foods and water for family's daily needs. However, in urban context VAC have their new meanings: Green‐Water‐Biodiversity, which are essential components shaping Livable and Sustainable Cities.
We are very happy that the 12th Plenary Meeting of ANMC21 will be held in Hanoi next year. I hope that together with colleagues from Hanoi, we could develop a joint project that is helpful for Hanoi and align with ANMC21's agenda, so that we can share its outcomes at the event of the Plenary Meeting 2013.
His inspiring answers gave us the impression that the research in TMU on solutions for Asian water problems and supports from administrative bodies are gradually bearing fruits. At the plenary meeting, we saw him enjoying discussions with representatives from Hanoi. He showed his great interest in ANMC21's joint projects and asked our staff about what kind of joint projects is currently ongoing, how the evaluation for the new joint projects processes, and so on. Then he expressed his strong interest in proposing a new joint water project for Hanoi in the future.
SDWA actually had a booth at the Singapore International Water Week 2012, which was jointly held with the 11th ANMC21 Plenary Meeting and World Cities Summit 2012. After the interview, he was very kind to welcome our staff to the booth and explain about SDWA's currents projects. He looked very happy and exciting while explaining about the projects he is involved in. We were also very glad that Mr. Bui, one of the first graduates from the TMG's Asian Human Resource Fund, has successfully kicked off his new life after graduation, and has made a great progress in his career.
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