SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FACULTY OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING 2020-2025

In recent years, the Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering – Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) has affirmed its position as one of the units with the strongest scientific research and technological development movement in the engineering sector of the University. The Faculty’s scientific and technological activities are comprehensively implemented across three main areas: basic scientific research, application and technology transfer, and innovation linked to training. This not only contributes to improving the quality of teaching but also helps the Faculty gradually integrate with the development trends of higher education in the region and around the world.

 During the period 2020–2025, the Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering led and implemented over 45 scientific research projects at various levels, including university-level, departmental-level, key projects, and type II projects, along with numerous collaborative projects with research institutes, businesses, and state management agencies. On average, the Faculty had 6–8 projects approved, completed, and published annually, many of which achieved Excellent or Good ratings, recognized by the University and nominated for the Ministry of Education and Training’s Science and Technology Award. Notably, many projects by faculty members have been published in international journals listed in the SCI/SCIE index, affirming the research capacity and international integration of the young faculty members.

The Faculty’s main research directions focus on three strategic areas:

(1) Modern hydropower and hydraulic engineering works, in which applied research on numerical modeling, CFD simulation, Flow-3D, HEC-RAS and GIS has contributed to solving many practical problems on reservoir operation, flood regulation, sedimentation and erosion of riverbanks and coastlines;

(2) Ports – waterways and logistics infrastructure, aiming to develop inland waterway transport system, green seaports and smart supply chains;

(3) Application of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI, Machine Learning) in forecasting, optimizing project operation and logistics management. These research directions clearly show the shift from a traditional approach to an interdisciplinary research model – combining engineering, technology, economics and management, in line with the School’s innovation orientation.

Simultaneously, the Faculty has always focused on building and developing strong research groups led by lecturers with high academic ranks and degrees. Many research groups have been operating effectively in fields such as: “Hydraulic Modeling and Climate Change”, “Hydraulic Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering”, and “Digital Transformation in Logistics and Water Transport Infrastructure”. Several groups have been recognized by the University as potential research groups at the University level, capable of developing ministerial-level projects and participating in international research programs in the future.

The Faculty’s scientific research activities are closely linked to the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students are encouraged to participate in faculty projects as research assistants, while also proactively undertaking independent student research projects. During the period 2020–2025, the Faculty had over 150 student research projects, averaging 25–30 projects per year, with many achieving Excellent ratings and being selected to participate in the “Student Scientific Research Award at the Ministry of Education and Training level”. The collaboration between faculty and student research has created a dynamic, creative, and practical academic environment.

Notably, over the past five years, the Faculty’s research topics have shown significant innovation in content, methodology, and technology. While previously research primarily focused on traditional hydraulic modeling, the current trend is the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, GIS, and digital technology in simulation, management, and decision-making. Several new topics, such as short-term wave forecasting for port planning, assessing the impact of steel corrosion in the marine environment, and research on digital transformation in transportation and logistics, demonstrate the Faculty’s adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Overall, the scientific and technological activities of the Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering during the 2020-2025 period have achieved outstanding results: a solid professional foundation, dynamism in applied research, boldness in technological innovation, and international integration. This is one of the important factors helping the Faculty improve the quality of training, affirm its position as a leading academic unit in the field of hydraulic engineering, port and logistics at HUCE, and at the same time contribute to the overall goal of the University: to become a leading research university in the region, a pioneer in creating and transferring knowledge to serve sustainable national development.