Join us to explore the latest in coastal protection and flood resilience research
The Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore’s Annual Symposium is back this September, serving as a key platform to unite thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and industry partners in addressing the urgent challenges of coastal protection and flood management in a changing climate.
Through dynamic discussions, knowledge sharing from external speakers, and collaborative engagement, this year's Symposium aims to spotlight innovative solutions and real-world applications that can enhance Singapore’s resilience against sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
This Symposium offers industry partners a front-row seat to ongoing research and initiatives from CFI, while providing a platform to exchange insights, identify collaboration opportunities, and explore how innovation can directly support their organisations’ goals in coastal protection and flood resilience.
Event Details
1. CFI Annual Symposium 2025
Registration fee: Complimentary
Date
18 September 2025
Time
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Registration starts at 8:30 AM)
Venue
University Cultural Centre,
National University of Singapore
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore 119279
Join us for the CFI Annual Symposium 2025 and help shape the future of coastal protection and flood resilience in Singapore and beyond.
PDU Points pending.
2. Urban Rainfall in a Warming World Workshop
Registration fee: Complimentary
Date
18 September 2025
Time
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Registration starts at 8:30 AM)
Venue
University Cultural Centre,
National University of Singapore
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore 119279
Join us for the CFI Annual Symposium 2025 and help shape the future of coastal protection and flood resilience in Singapore and beyond.
PDU Points pending.
Registration fee: Complimentary
Date
19 September 2025
Time
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Venue
LT426 (SDE3 Building),
National University of Singapore
4 Architecture Drive
Singapore 117566
This half-day workshop, led by Professor Simone Fatichi, Deputy Director (Research) at CFI Singapore, will focus on advancing knowledge and dialogue around convective storms and rainfall extremes in a changing climate. Participants will gain exposure to state-of-the-art science and prediction methods, and learn how ongoing projects at CFI Singapore are shaping future directions in this critical area. The workshop will also provide a platform to exchange international perspectives, highlighting how water agencies and local authorities worldwide are preparing for intensifying rainfall extremes and their implications for flood resilience.
PDU Points pending.
CFI Symposium
Guest of Honour
Special Guest
Ms. Goh Hanyan
Senior Parliamentary Secretary
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
Special Guest
Professor Koh Lian Pin
Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience)
Chief Sustainability Scientist
National University of Singapore
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Sutat Weesakul
Dr. Sutat Weesakul has previously held the position of Director at the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII), operating under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) in Thailand. Additionally, he is the founder and the First Chairman of the ASEAN Hydroinformatics Data Centre (AHC) and a member of the Asia-Pacific Science Technology Advisory Group (APSTAAG) within the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
With expertise in hydraulic and coastal engineering, Dr. Weesakul boasts almost 40 years of extensive research and teaching experience at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and HII. He earned his Doctor of Engineering in Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering and has worked on key projects in Thailand, such as flood forecasting for the Chao Phraya River, as well as international projects including EC-funded PEARL and RECONECT project. He has actively participated in numerous collaborations with both private and governmental entities aimed at advancing the utilization of Science, Technology, and Innovation for sustainable water resource management in Thailand.
Dr. Sutat Weesakul
Advisor, Hydro - Informatics Institute (HII),
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand
Professor Hitoshi Tanaka
Professor Hitoshi Tanaka is a distinguished civil and coastal engineer, currently serving as Professor Emeritus and President-appointed Extraordinary Professor at the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan. He earned his B.Eng., M.Eng., and D.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Tohoku University.
With a career spanning over four decades, Professor Tanaka has made significant contributions to hydro-environment engineering, coastal morphodynamics, and flood resilience, including extensive research on tsunami impacts and river mouth evolution. He has held academic positions in Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam and has been a visiting researcher at the Technical University of Denmark.
An internationally recognized scholar, he has served as Chairman of the Asian and Pacific Division of IAHR, Vice-Chair and Chair of IAHR-Japan Chapter, and has contributed extensively to journal editorial boards, including the Coastal Engineering Journal and the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. His research has been honored with multiple awards, including the International Lifetime Contribution Award from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, the Taisei Foundation Gold Medal, and several distinctions for contributions to coastal disaster mitigation and education in Vietnam.
Professor Tanaka has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on hydrodynamics, sediment transport, shoreline evolution, and advanced numerical modeling for coastal and riverine systems.
Dr. Hitoshi Tanaka
Professor, Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tohoku University
Programme Highlights
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Immerse yourself in a full-day symposium that is designed to spark cross-sector dialogue, surface emerging ideas, and identify collaboration opportunities in the coastal protection and flood resilience field.
Panel Discussion
Engage in thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders and government agencies as they explore:
- Real-world implementation of research
- Challenges in climate adaptation
- Opportunities for public-private collaboration
Research Project Presentations
Hear from CFI researchers as they share important findings from projects spanning across our four key domains:
- H1: Coastal Science Research
- H2: Monitoring, Prediction and Digitalisation of Coastal Environment
- V1: Innovative Engineering Solutions
- V2: Integrated Nature-based Solutions
Project Exhibition
Explore our showcase of 17 research posters and selected prototypes, representing CFI’s core domains.
Engage with CFI’s research teams as they share key findings and forward-looking concepts that aim to shape future strategies in coastal protection and flood resilience.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with industry experts, researchers, and policymakers driving innovation in coastal and flood resilience.
Enjoy complimentary lunch and tea breaks throughout the day — perfect moments to exchange ideas and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed setting.
Programme Agenda
Be part of advancing coastal and flood resilience by connecting science, technology, and practice for a stronger future.
Sign up now!
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Event Partners
Relive the Highlights from 2024
Take a look at the impactful conversations and collaborative energy from last year’s Symposium through our curated photo gallery and outcomes summary.