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Over 80 water experts and students from 15 institutions across 10 countries participate; held August 1–8 at Incheon National University’s Songdo Campus

Amid record-breaking heat waves and heavy rains this summer, which have amplified global hydrological risks, the importance of international academic exchange in addressing Asia’s water challenges has never been greater. On August 4, Incheon National University successfully hosted the opening ceremony of the 18th HydroAsia (HydroAsia 2025) under the theme “Flood Response to Climate Change.” The program continues through August 8 at the university’s Songdo Campus with a series of diverse academic activities.

HydroAsia is an international academic exchange program where faculty and graduate students share knowledge and technologies to solve Asia’s water issues. This year, 82 participants—including professors and students—from 15 institutions in 10 countries joined, including Korea (Kangwon National University, Korea University, Incheon National University, Chungbuk National University), Taiwan, Vietnam, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, China, France, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

Following online kickoff meetings and video conferences in June and July, the program officially began with an orientation at Songdo Campus on August 1. After a weekend of cultural immersion activities, participants entered the full academic schedule with the August 4 opening ceremony. The program runs until August 8, featuring keynote lectures, numerical modeling, GIS analysis, field trips, and teamwork workshops.

Key themes include river flood analysis and management, assessment of urban flood impacts, strategies for water quality improvement, and techniques and policy directions for natural river restoration—all centered on addressing urban water challenges. Participants are using hydrological modeling tools such as SWMM, HEC-RAS, and MIKE URBAN, along with GIS-based spatial analysis and rainfall–hydrology statistics. Field visits to Sungui Stream and the Ara Waterway allow direct investigation of urban flooding causes, followed by group discussions and presentations of solutions.

At the opening ceremony, Choi Kye Woon, Honorary Professor of Incheon National University and Chair of the YES Initiative, expressed gratitude for the dedication of the faculty who have led HydroAsia for 18 years, emphasizing: “Water issues cannot be solved alone. In working together across diverse disciplines and nationalities, participants will truly learn teamwork and leadership.” Kim Eung Cheol, Dean of the College of Urban Science at INU, added, “At a time when water issues are growing ever more critical, HydroAsia plays a key role in seeking innovative solutions. The greatest value of this event is bringing together experts and students from across Asia in one place to exchange ideas.” Philippe Gourbesville, President of IAHR, noted, “Managing flood risks in the climate crisis era requires multidisciplinary collaboration, and HydroAsia is an intensive collaborative education program in hydro-engineering. Let us create solutions for water challenges together.” A delegation from IWHR (China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research) also attended.

Professor Dong Woo Jang of INU’s College of Urban Science, who led the event, explained: “Over the past 17 sessions, HydroAsia has produced more than 600 alumni now active in government agencies, universities, corporations, and research institutes across many countries, expanding networks through joint research, projects, and academic exchanges. HydroAsia 2025 will meaningfully contribute to solving urban hydrological challenges while strengthening the global competencies of its participants.”

HydroAsia 2025 is co-hosted by the Department of Civil Environmental Engineering, College of Urban Science at Incheon National University and the Korea Smart Water Grid Association, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Education’s Korea-EU Education Cooperation Program, the Incheon Green Environment Center, IWHR, and the INU Hydro-Environmental Laboratory Alumni Association (Susanghoe). The event is expected to further solidify its standing as a vital platform for international cooperation in solving Asia’s water issues.

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