The Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety launches a short-term study–exchange program at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT), Taiwan

From September 13 to 21, 2026, the Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety at Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs (OIA), the Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, and the Center for Environmental Sustainability and Human Health at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT), Taiwan, successfully organized the short-term study program “MCUT-TDTU Eco-Innovation Camp 2026.” The delegation of eight undergraduate and graduate students was led by Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Quynh, Head of the Department of Environmental Science. Building on exchange activities held since 2024 under the comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities, this year’s program focused on solid waste management and resource recovery, air pollution, environmental biotechnology, and water resource management, while integrating occupational safety and health (OSH) in line with the Faculty’s interdisciplinary training.

The first focus was waste management toward a circular economy. The session “Turning Waste into Treasure” presented solutions ranging from source separation, reuse, and recycling to material and energy recovery – the foundation of Taiwan’s recycling rate, one of the highest in the world. At a waste incineration plant, the delegation observed the process from combustion and energy recovery to flue gas and ash treatment. The session “Extracting Gold from E-waste” examined the potential of “urban mining” from electronic waste together with the need to control secondary pollution and chemical risks to workers, while the “Handmade Coasters & Weather Bottles” experiment let students put eco-design thinking into practice with reused materials.

The session “AI for Air: Smart Solutions for Cleaner Breath” showed how artificial intelligence processes monitoring data, identifies emission sources, and forecasts air pollution to reduce exposure, particularly for outdoor workers – an approach highly relevant to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The sessions “Microbe Magic: Tiny Heroes for a Greener Planet” and “Microbes Everywhere: The Invisible World Around Us” clarified the role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment and the remediation of contaminated soil and water, while noting that they are also biological agents requiring control at waste treatment facilities. A field visit to Shimen Reservoir introduced water supply, watershed protection, and source water quality monitoring.

On occupational safety and health, students in the laboratories of the Center for Environmental Sustainability and Human Health were trained in hazard identification, risk assessment and control, chemical management, the use of personal protective equipment, and emergency response. At the Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, the construction safety module explained measures to control dust, noise, wastewater, and solid waste on site, protecting both the surrounding environment and workers’ health. The company visit showed how an environment, health and safety (EHS) management system operates in practice, highlighting the close link between environmental protection and occupational safety.

Beyond the academic activities, OIA – MCUT accompanied the delegation from arrival and the opening ceremony through cultural exchange and experiences across Taiwan. The program broadened students’ professional expertise, professional English, and ability to work in an international environment, and laid the groundwork for the two universities to expand cooperation in student exchange, academic seminars, and joint research in environment and sustainable development.

Below are some memorable moments from the journey: