I. Background

The Mangrove Ecosystem Research Center (MERC) was established in January 1987 under the administration of Hanoi National Pedagogic University, which is now named Hanoi University of Education (HUE).

In August 1995, the President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) issued a decision on the merger of MERC and the Centre for Resources and Environment of Hanoi University into a big Centre of VNU: The Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES) and MERC became Mangrove Ecosystem Research Division (MERD). Beside MERC activities under HUE, yet without stamp and account.

II. Objectives

2.1. To train highly qualified scientists on mangrove ecology, human ecology and biodiversity of coastal wetlands for sustainable use of natural resources and coastal environment.

2.2. To coordinate with national and international institutions in researching the mangrove ecosystem coastal wetlands and the life of coastal communities.

2.3. To provide planning and technical support and education on the restoration and development of mangrove ecosystem and the life of coastal communities in Vietnam.

III. Tasks

3.1. To train Master and Ph.D. research fellows in biology, ecology, biodiversity and management of coastal ecosystem.

3.2. To implement long-term national projects concerning mangrove ecosystems as well as coastal management and to cooperate with foreign institutions in a number of scientific projects.

3.3. To provide technical consultants and advisors for several NGOs in Vietnam for preparation and evaluation of projects on mangrove planting and aquaculture in coastal areas.

3.4. To provide educational materials for students, teachers, local administrators, farmers and fishermen on the sustainable use of natural resources and environment in coastal areas with the sponsor of NGOs.

3.5. To organize training courses for a large number of coastal dwellers on the role of mangroves and techniques for planting and tending.

3.6. To participate in several international and regional organizations for studying different fields of coastal ecosystems.

3.7. To organize national and international workshops and seminars in cooperation with other international and local institutions.

IV. Activities Since the date of establishment

For a complete list of our activites since the date of establishment, please click the following link (please use right click -> save target as (in Internet Explorer) and save link as (in Firefox), do not use left click)

http://mangrovesvn.org/files/merc.pdf