Climate Change & the Roles of Universities

Trang Nguyen
Jun 30, 2024
2 min read

SPD Climate Change Series #4 + Time: June 29, 2024 + Venue: University of Economics and Finance + Language: Vietnamese + Facilitator: Mandy Truong + Nuong Nguyen + Dr. Quynh Anh + Speaker: Mr. Tran Hoang Nam - Advisory Board Chair of Sustainable Property Development Club

The SPD Workshop Series is a recurring workshop series held every three months with the goal of changing students' perceptions of climate change and sustainable development.

Program Agenda:

1pm - 4pm : Climate Fresk Workshop – An interactive session where participants explore the causes and impacts of climate change through a collaborative game-based approach.
Final Hour: Guest Speaker Presentation – A talk on "Role of universities on Climate Actions," followed by a Q&A session.

Understanding Climate Change Through Interactive Learning

Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, the workshop addressed why and how climate change is accelerating and the consequences of these changes. The program provided participants with significant insights within a short period, making it highly beneficial for students, particularly those in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at UEF.

A key highlight was the Climate Fresk game, a 180-minute interactive activity designed to help students understand the causes and impacts of climate change. The activity involved group discussions using 42 thematic cards, each representing a climate-related factor, cause, or effect. Under the guidance of expert speakers, students worked in teams to analyze the relationships between different aspects of climate change.

With an open-minded, collaborative spirit, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, respecting individual perspectives while working together to decode complex climate scenarios. These teamwork-driven discussions played a crucial role in strengthening their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Universities’ Role in Climate Action

At the end of the workshop, students explored the critical topic: “The Role of Universities in Addressing Climate Change.” Through engaging discussions, the speakers encouraged UEFers to take an active role in learning, researching, and advocating for sustainability.

Dr. Quynh Anh emphasized:

“Investing in education is the most sustainable and impactful investment.”

The speakers further highlighted that climate change, while a major challenge, also presents opportunities to transition toward a greener, more sustainable economy. Decisive action and global cooperation are key to protecting the environment, fostering economic growth, and enhancing societal well-being.

Environmental issues are a global priority, and the rapid advancement of technology has unintentionally contributed to climate change. The consequences of global warming are evident, and finding the right solutions requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Mr. Tran Hoang Nam shared:

“There is no single ‘right’ solution—only the most suitable ones for each context.”

Thus, students must remain proactive in seeking knowledge and innovative solutions to address climate challenges.

The SPD Workshop ClimateSeries concluded successfully, spanning four workshops on distinct sustainability topics. The series has deepened students' understanding of climate change causes and effects, sustainable supply chain development in Vietnam, and broader sustainability challenges. Let's have a look at moments during this last workshop of The SPD Workshop Climate Series.