US-Japan Technical Workshop on Clean Energy Technology Collaboration
AIST’s Energy and Environment researchers lead by Dr. Akira Yabe (Vice-President, AIST) took part in a workshop with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) held in Golden, Colorado. The purpose of the workshop was to hold discussions and to exchange information on the outcomes of US-Japan collaboration on Renewable Energy.
Since the signing of a comprehensive MOU between AIST and NREL in 2008, there has been close cooperation mainly in the area of biomass refinery research. Fruitful discussions were held during the workshop, in which around 50 researchers and other relevant personnel from both sides participated.
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| (During the Workshop…) | (Group Photo) |
AIST-TISTR Mini-Workshop
A delegation from the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) headed by Mr. Yongvut Saovapruk (Governor, TISTR) participated in the AIST-TISTR Mini Workshop at AIST Tsukuba. AIST researchers headed by Dr. Masahiro Seto participated in the workshop, whose aim was to explore areas of future collaboration through active discussions and information exchanges not only in energy and the environment but also in other areas such as biotechnology, materials and metrology.
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| Group Photo of AIST-TISTR Mini-Workshop |
The 9th Biomass-Asia Workshop
The 9th Biomass-Asia Workshop was held at Iino Hall in Tokyo, co-hosted by AIST, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), New Energy Foundation (NEF), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and the Biomass-Asia Consortium. Around 300 persons including researchers and representatives from government, industry and academia from 11 Asian countries and 2 international organizations participated. The objective of the workshop was to introduce R&D activities on biomass utilization technology and its demonstration/commercialization in East Asian countries.
For further information, please visit http://www.biomass-asia-workshop.jp/
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| Group Photo of the 9th Biomass-Asia Workshop |
AIST Workshop for Innovation Ecosystem in Thailand
AIST had for sometime been conducting workshops aimed at reinvigorating local industries at various locations in Japan with active involvement by company officials. This workshop, held at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Bangkok, was the first time that such an event was conducted abroad with the focus being widened to include Japanese and local companies based overseas. Over 230 persons participated, including members of research organizations such as AIST, JETRO Bangkok, NSTDA, TISTR, NIMT, as well as representatives of local and Japanese companies.
For more information, please visit http://unit.aist.go.jp/intl/ci/ws-thailand.html
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| Opening remarks by AIST President Nomakuchi |
The First Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders
Sixteen high-ranking officials from the world’s leading public research organizations based in 12 different countries gathered for the first meeting of the Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders on October 6, 2012 at Kyoto International Conference Center. This meeting aimed at promoting awareness, amongst top officials of public research organizations, of the importance of mutual cooperation in tackling the global issues facing humankind. In addition to each organization’s activities and operational status, the topics discussed included S&T innovation strategies, cooperation with industries, technology transfer, “brain drain,” and research funding. Dr. Ryoji Noyori (President, RIKEN) and Dr. Alain Fuchs (President, CNRS) acted as moderators, and Dr. Nomakuchi gave a presentation summarizing the conclusions of the meeting during the STS (Science and Technology in Society) Forum held on October 8th, 2012.
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| The First Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders |
The 6th VAST-AIST Workshop
A joint workshop with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) was held in Hanoi, with 104 participants led by Dr. Seto for AIST and Prof. Shau Van Minh (President) and Prof. Duong Ngoc Hai (Vice President) for VAST. (VAST and AIST had concluded an MOU in 2004.) Areas of discussion included energy and environment, biomass, geogrid and information technology, as well as waste water treatment (funded by NEDO) and space-related technology research. Information was also sought and exchanged concerning the construction of a science city in western Hanoi similar to Tsukuba.
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| VAST President Minh (left) and AIST Vice-president Seto |
