HydroAsia Opening Ceremony Group Photo

The 17th HydroAsia 2024 was held at Incheon National University from August 2-9 and ended with great success. HydroAsia, held at Incheon National University in 2009 and celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, is Asia's largest international event to find solutions to regional and international water problems and share effective water management skills and knowledge through joint cooperation programs between professors and graduate students from leading universities in the world's water sector.

Presentation of research content by team

A total of 80 people from 14 countries participated in this year's HydroAsia 2024. Participating universities included (Korea) Incheon National University, Korea University, Bucheon University, Chungbuk National University, (France) Nice University, (Japan) Kyoto University, (Singapore) Singapore National University, (China), Nankai University, Tianjin Urban Construction University, Hoai University, Wuhan University, (Taiwan) Taiwan National Maritime University, (Vietnam) Danang University, (Indonesia) Para Yangan Catholic University, and Brawijaya University. At the opening ceremony, Choi Gye-woon, Chairman of the Incheon Environment Corporation, Philippe GOURBESVILLE, President of the IAHR (International Association of Water and Environmental Engineering), Jeanne Huang, Executive Director of the SCWE (Joint Research and Development Center for Chinese-Canadian Water and Environmental Safety), delivered a congratulatory speech, while Jeong Seong-ho, the Business Director, delivered the congratulatory speech on behalf of Park Tae-hyun, President of K-water Tech. 

Field inspection: Visiting Namdong Oil Reservoir Drainage Pump Station

The event began with an online kickoff meeting on June 25, with participants divided into a total of six teams to conduct preliminary research activities. Major research topics included river flood analysis, estimation of flood impacts in cities and rivers, and measures to improve river water quality. In August, the main event was held face-to-face at Incheon National University Songdo Campus and conducted joint team research activities along with special lectures. In addition, on-site tours were held, and city flooding areas, rainwater drainage pumping stations, and Seunggicheon Stream that occurred in Incheon were visited.

Special speakers included Professor Jang Dong-woo of Incheon National University, Professor Ahn Jung-kyu and Professor Chung Dong-hwi of Korea University, Professor Philippe Gourbesville (IAHR President), Professor Jeanne Huang (Nankai University of China), Representative Melvin Solomon (CEO Consultancy of the Philippines), Professor Chen Wang (University of China), and Dr. Weiya Hou (Korea Institute of Water and Water Science) to lecture on the latest flood defense and water management technologies in progress in each country.

On-site inspection: Visiting Seunggichon

All participants carried out research activities based on teamwork, built and simulated numerical analysis models to solve actual urban flooding and river water quality problems, and applied various methodologies, and finally announced the results. The final findings, published on the 9th, focused on presenting practical and concrete solutions to Asian urban flooding and water quality problems.

Field inspection: Visiting Namdong Oil Reservoir Drainage Pump Station

The event was hosted by Incheon National University and the Korea Smart Water Grid Association and organized by the Construction Environmental Engineering major (Professor Jang Dong-woo) of Incheon National University's Urban Environmental Engineering Department. Sponsors included the Ministry of Education's Korea-EU Education Cooperation Project, Incheon Environment Corporation, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Kwater Technology Co., Ltd., Incheon Green Environment Support Center, Korea KGT Constructant, Water Eyes Co., Ltd., and China Suri Water Research Institute.

Special Lecture (Professor Ginni Huang, Nankai University))