The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, proudly welcomed a delegation from Korea representing the Han River Flood Control Office, a division of the Ministry of Environment. Co-hosted by the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and Baker School of Public Policy, this visit signifies a significant stride in fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in flood control and river management.
Korean delegation toured Professor Haochen Li’s hydraulic facility
The six-member delegation, visiting as part of a specialized training program offered by EWR Radar, was warmly greeted by Dr. Gretchen Neisler, Vice Provost for International Affairs and Director of CGE. During their visit, the delegation had the opportunity to tour the hydraulic lab of Professor Haochen Li at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Additionally, they engaged with various experts, including Professor Charles Sims, Director of the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy at the Baker School, Professor Brad Collett, Executive Director of UT Extension’s Tennessee RiverLine initiative, Professor John Schwartz, Director of Tennessee Water Resources Research Center, and Dr. Victoria Rexhausen, postdoctoral scholar in the Hathaway Research Group. Discussions revolved around ongoing research projects and shared insights on flood control and river management practices in both the US and Korea.
As a gesture of partnership, the Tennessee RiverLine presented the Korean delegation with gifts at the CGE International House. This collaboration, facilitated by EWR Radar, underscores the importance of industry partnerships in promoting exchange opportunities. Dr. Rachel Rui, Director of the Global Partnership, Research, and Innovation Office at CGE, emphasized the significance of such exchanges in tackling complex global challenges.
Tennessee Riverline presented the Korean delegation with gifts at the CGE International House
“The exchange of knowledge and expertise is crucial in addressing today’s complex global challenges,” said Dr. Rui. “This visit underscores our commitment to fostering international partnerships and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing pressing environmental issues.”
To conclude the day, the group also toured the Tennessee Valley Association Weather Forecast Center and the UT Campus.
The University of Tennessee eagerly anticipates the outcomes of this visit, expecting them to contribute to advancing innovative solutions in flood control and river management on both local and global scales.
About the Center for Global Engagement
Reporting directly to the Office of the Provost, the Center for Global Engagement works to lead, coordinate, and support the university’s strategies for global education, research, and engagement.
About the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy (CETEP)
CETEP is an interdisciplinary network of scholars and partners that extends across the University of Tennessee, to every level of government, the nonprofit sector, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and industry representatives. We build on the legacy of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr.’s work in the areas of energy and environmental policy, studying the interaction of energy, transportation, and the environment to develop economically sound policies that improve quality of life for citizens in Tennessee, the U.S., and around the world.
Contact: Rachel Rui, Director of Global Partnership, Research, and Innovation Office, CGE, jrui@utk.edu