51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Vice Provosts David Harrison and Laurent El Ghaoui, in collaboration with Professor Andrew W. Taylor-Robbinson, are spearheading a transformative initiative—the Global Center for Climate Risk and Resilience: Southeast Asia as a Living Lab (SEALL). This pioneering project, under the leadership of Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is set to address the pressing challenges of climate change in Southeast Asia. Prof. Helen Nguyen and Prof. , the project’s PI and Co-PI, are also members of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s CEI Advisory Board.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Faculty contributing to the SEALL Project
(Image Source: NFS)

• SEALL Essentials: funded by the US National Science Foundation with grant number 2330308 and a budget of $250,000, with Vietnam chosen as the focal point for implementation, is a testament to international collaboration. It unites experts from the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Florida, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham with researchers from 51³Ô¹ÏÍøversity, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, the University of Public Health in Vietnam, the Asian Institute of Technology, and the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Thailand, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and the National University of Singapore. The shared vision is to build capacity for future research, education, and the implementation of critical climate mitigation and adaptation strategies for coastal communities.

• Resilience in Southeast Asia: The project envisions a climate-resilient Southeast Asia that will not only safeguard public health, trade, and global travel but also serve as a beacon for other regions facing similar challenges. Southeast Asia was chosen due to its unique attributes—housing 8.5% of the world’s population, marked by cultural diversity, dense coastal urban areas, poverty levels, rapid economic growth, and a pivotal role in global manufacturing.
• CEI’s Vital Roles: Center for Environment Intelligence (CEI) at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø plays an indispensable role in SEALL. CEI’s primary functions include securing grants and implementing projects, underpinning its commitment to tangible change. Moreover, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will serve as the Hubr for collaborative efforts, hosting workshops that bring together renowned experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from across the globe. These gatherings facilitate in-depth discussions and innovative solutions for global climate change adaptation.
• Empowering Future Leaders: CEI and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s commitment extends to nurturing talent. We organize workshops and create opportunities for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students, laying the foundation for undergraduate research programs at CEI. This investment in the next generation of climate change champions underscores 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s dedication to a sustainable future.

CEI and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s leadership in SEALL exemplifies its commitment to research, innovation, and global cooperation in tackling the urgent challenges of climate change. It sets the stage for meaningful change, not only in Southeast Asia but also as a blueprint for the world.

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