26/10/2026
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Đầu Thanh Tùng, Member of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; representatives of provincial departments and agencies; representatives of international organizations and project partners; and leaders, lecturers, staff and students of Hong Duc University. Representatives of the project’s beneficiaries, including teachers and students from 11 participating schools, also attended the event.
Representing the international partners and sponsors were Ms. Song Myeong-suk, Vice President of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. (Republic of Korea), together with representatives of Save the Children Korea, Save the Children Vietnam and other partner organizations. Representatives of Ben En National Park and relevant educational and research institutions also participated in the ceremony.
The event reviewed the outcomes of the two project components implemented at Hong Duc University and Ben En National Park, assessed their contributions to climate change education and environmental protection, and discussed measures to ensure the effective management and long-term sustainability of the project’s achievements.
In his welcoming remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Hoằng Bá Huyền, Secretary of the University Party Committee and President of Hong Duc University, emphasized that climate change is having increasingly profound impacts on the environment, livelihoods and community development, with children among the most vulnerable groups.
For Thanh Hoa Province, which frequently experiences extreme weather events, raising awareness and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to climate change are particularly important. The Rector affirmed that Hong Duc University consistently seeks to align education and scientific research with social responsibility and the practical needs of local communities. In this context, climate education plays a vital role in translating knowledge into awareness, responsible attitudes and concrete environmental actions among students and the wider community.
Reviewing the project's achievements over the past three years, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Hoằng Bá Huyền acknowledged the effective cooperation among government agencies, sponsors, international organizations and implementing partners. The project has contributed to improving educational infrastructure, developing learning materials and introducing innovative teaching methods, while encouraging positive changes in learners’ environmental awareness and behavior.
In particular, connecting climate education at Hong Duc University with forest planting and nature conservation activities at Ben En National Park has helped establish an experiential learning model that links theoretical knowledge with practical engagement.
The Rector also highlighted the importance of maintaining the project's sustainability after its completion, including securing operational resources, maintaining equipment, updating educational materials and strengthening the involvement of teachers and student leaders. Hong Duc University committed to taking responsibility for the management and effective operation of the Climate Change Education Center, integrating its activities into teaching, scientific research and experiential learning, and expanding cooperation with schools, government agencies and partners.
On this occasion, the Rector expressed his sincere appreciation to the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, relevant departments and agencies, sponsors Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Engineering and CCK, Save the Children Korea, Save the Children Vietnam, Ben En National Park, participating high schools, and all staff, lecturers, teachers and students who had contributed to the project's implementation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Song Myeong-suk, Vice President of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. and executive responsible for Marketing Strategy, expressed her gratitude to the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, Hong Duc University, Ben En National Park and Save the Children for their trust, cooperation and commitment throughout the project.
She emphasized that the handover represented more than the completion of a cooperation project. It also reflected a shared commitment to addressing climate change and building a more sustainable future for children and communities.
Ms. Song highlighted several key achievements, including the establishment of the Climate Change Education Center at Hong Duc University, educational and environmental awareness-raising activities for students at 11 schools, and the planting of 10 hectares of Melaleuca forest at Ben En National Park to support ecosystem restoration and water resource protection.
She noted that the project's value lies not only in the infrastructure developed or the forest area planted, but also in the knowledge, climate resilience skills and environmental responsibility fostered among young people. She expressed confidence that the achievements would be sustained and that the educational and climate action initiatives developed in Thanh Hoa could serve as a model for other localities. Hyundai Engineering, she affirmed, would continue its efforts to support local communities and contribute to sustainable development.
Presenting the project completion report for the 2024–2026 period, Dr. Lê Văn Cường, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment and Standing Member of the Management Board of Project Component 1, representing Hong Duc University and Ben En National Park, outlined the major achievements of both project components and proposed measures to maintain their effectiveness following the project's conclusion.
At Hong Duc University, one of the project's most significant achievements was the establishment and operation of the Climate Change Education Center. Equipped with visual and interactive educational facilities, the Center provides learning, experiential and practical spaces where students can explore climate change issues through engaging and accessible activities.
Alongside infrastructure development, the project produced a five-volume climate change education resource series for upper-secondary school students, designed to align with Vietnam's 2018 General Education Curriculum. University lecturers also developed an introductory textbook on climate change to support teaching and learning at HDU.
Beginning with the 2025 student intake, Hong Duc University incorporated the introductory climate change course into its compulsory curriculum. To date, more than 6,000 student participations across over 60 course classes have benefited from climate change education and practical learning activities. The Center has also welcomed nearly 5,000 student visits through 109 classes from the 11 participating upper-secondary schools.
The project further focused on developing a network of teachers and student leaders and promoting environmental awareness within local communities. Nearly 100 upper-secondary school teachers participated in project activities, while a core climate change club was established with 20 student members.
Through 11 events and four major communication campaigns, the project attracted approximately 8,000 participant visits, helping disseminate climate knowledge and encourage environmentally responsible lifestyles.
Evaluation results indicated positive changes in learners' awareness and behavior. According to the reported figures, 59% of students experienced a significant increase in their awareness and knowledge of climate change, while 80% were satisfied or very satisfied with the Center's learning and experiential activities. Notably, 93.9% of students reported taking at least one proactive environmental action after completing the course, such as saving electricity, reducing plastic bag use, sorting waste or sharing environmental knowledge with family and friends.
At Ben En National Park, the project completed the planting of 10 hectares of seasonally inundated forest, comprising tens of thousands of Melaleuca trees, in the Song Muc Reservoir area. These efforts are intended to help reduce soil erosion, protect land resources and restore natural habitats.
In addition to forest planting, the project organized capacity-building activities for park staff and residents in surrounding communities, strengthened communication on environmental protection and nature conservation, and promoted exchanges and cooperation with international partners.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for teachers, lecturers and students directly involved in the project to share their experiences and reflect on its impact.
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hà, Secretary of the Youth Union at Nhu Thanh High School, highlighted the effectiveness of combining theoretical learning with practical experiences. Activities such as waste sorting, material recycling, green living challenges and campaigns to reduce plastic waste have helped students develop resource-saving habits, practical skills and a stronger sense of environmental responsibility.
Vi Thúy Hằng, a student volunteer at Hong Duc University, shared her experience of participating in the Climate Change Education Center's activities for more than two years. Through the project, she strengthened her knowledge, activity-organizing and communication skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of individual responsibility for environmental protection.
Similarly, Lê Khánh Ngọc, a Grade 11 student at Hong Duc School (Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary levels), explained that joining the core youth club had helped her become more confident in communication, public speaking and organizing community activities.
These experiences demonstrate the project's contribution not only to improving climate literacy but also to developing young people's practical skills, confidence and capacity to take part in community-based environmental initiatives.
Looking ahead, Hong Duc University will continue integrating the activities of the Climate Change Education Center into its academic programs, scientific research and experiential learning initiatives. The University will also make effective use of the Center's facilities, further develop educational resources and strengthen connections with upper-secondary schools and other partners.
At Ben En National Park, the newly planted forest area will be managed, maintained and protected. Further opportunities will also be explored to expand the model, strengthen field-based environmental education and connect classroom learning at the Center with practical experiences in nature conservation.
During the ceremony, representatives of the sponsors and international organizations formally handed over the project facilities and deliverables to Hong Duc University and Ben En National Park. The handover marked the transition from project implementation to long-term management and operation, reaffirming the receiving institutions' responsibility to preserve and maximize the value of the resources invested.
The program also recognized and expressed appreciation for the contributions of the sponsors and implementing partners throughout the project's implementation.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Vương Đình Giáp, Program Director of Save the Children Vietnam, expressed his appreciation for Hong Duc University's plans to maintain and build upon the project's achievements. He emphasized that the results represented not only immediate practical benefits but also a valuable investment in the future. He thanked the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, partner organizations and participating schools for their close cooperation and expressed his hope for continued collaboration to strengthen the project's long-term impact and sustainability.
Following the handover ceremony, delegates visited the Climate Change Education Center at Hong Duc University to explore its learning spaces, experiential activities and educational equipment.
After three years of implementation, the project has delivered tangible results in both education and environmental protection, linking knowledge with practical experience, raising awareness and encouraging concrete action to address climate change. The closing and handover ceremony marked not only the completion of the implementation phase but also the beginning of a new commitment to managing, maintaining and building upon the project's achievements.
Building on these outcomes, Hong Duc University will continue to promote its role in education, scientific research and community engagement, contributing to greener lifestyles, stronger climate resilience and sustainable development in Thanh Hoa Province.