PENANG, 25 April 2016 – Professor Dr. Chan Ngai Weng from the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) once again did the university and country proud when he was awarded the Award for Significant Contribution to Sustainable Urban Development Programme and Urban Development by Vietnam National University in Ho Chin Minh City, Vietnam recently.

Chan received the Medal and Certificate of Merit from the President of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Professor Dr. Vo Van Sen, along with two Japanese staff from Yokohama City University, Professor Dr. Hidefumi Imura and Mr. Yoichi Hara.

This medal is the highest award conferred to distinguished scholars who have contributed significantly in a certain field by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University.

In an email interview with Chan, he said, “I am very grateful to the organisers for acknowledging my contributions in my field of specialisation on Urban Environmental Management (especially water resources and flood management) towards the Sustainable Urban Development Programme (SUDP) which is now organised in 4 countries, namely Malaysia (in USM), Japan (in Yokohama City University), the Philippines (University of Philippines) and Vietnam (University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

“The award is also for recognition of my contribution on Urban Environmental Management to the city of Ho Chi Minh City, hence to the Vietnamese Government in this respect.

“I am very happy and satisfied that my efforts in promoting and teaching students and other participants from SUDP comprising of industry players, city governments, municipalities and government officers and NGO practitioners on the current developments and innovations in the field of Urban Environmental Management, especially city management is recognised,” he said.

He added, “I feel very proud as I am the first staff from USM and Malaysia to receive this award. I am very honoured to represent USM and Malaysia in this respect.” 

“I also hope through this recognition, my School and USM in general would be able to cement better relations with University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the city of Ho Chi Minh City,” added Chan who is known affectionally as “Malaysia’s Waterman”, and has won numerous excellence awards globally in the fields of Hydrology, Climatology, Water Resources and Hazards Management.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe

Photo: Courtesy of Professor Dr. Chan Ngai Weng