Kyoto University’s Collaboration in Lao PDR

Kyoto University ASEAN center and JASTIP* support research activities initiated by faculty members. Director, Prof. Takashi Watanabe (Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere)’s e-ASIA project titled “Integrated biorefinery of sugarcane trash” collaborates with Dr. Keonakhone Kjounvilay from the National University of Laos, in addition to Thai and Indonesian institutes. In order to facilitate this project across ASEAN region, Mr. Ryuichi Fukuhara (JASTIP coordinator) had constructive discussion on electricity use in rural areas, with Mr. Kousim Chanthapanya (Director of ASEAN division, Ministry of Science and Technology, Laos) at the ASEAN NEXT in March and STS forum in April 2019.

This leads to successful establishment of a joint research laboratory of JASTIP WP2 in the filed of energy and environmental science in Lao PDR. Another member of e-ASIA project, Prof. Hideaki Ohgaki (Professor of Institute of Advanced Energy: IAE) visited Lao PDR in June 2019 and concluded Memorandum of academic cooperation between the faculty of engineering of National University of Laos and IAE. The conclusion will promote exchange of researchers and students as well as mutual use of experimental equipment introduced to ASEAN under a completed SATREPS project “Development of Clean and Efficient Utilization of Low Rank Coals and Biomass by Solvent Treatment**” between Kyoto University and KMUTT (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi), Thailand. This aims to further accelerate multilateral international collaboration and strengthen our partnership between ASEAN and Japan.

The progress is enthusiastically welcomed by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Lao PDR. During ASEAN-COSTI-76 and AJCCST-10 held in Indonesia in July 2019, Laotian delegates led by Vice Minister Houmphanh Intharath, Phouthanouthong Xaysombath (Deputy Director General, Department of Planning and Cooperation) and Director Kousim showed great interests in our future plans on clean renewable energy, to Mr. Fukuhara and Ms. Chisato Saito (Kyoto University ASEAN Center). Lao PDR will be a host country of ASEAN COSTI in June 2020 and we promised to keep close contact with related ministries, universities and private sectors.

Relevant links:

JASTIP*: http://jastip.org/en/

SATREPS**: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/kadai/h2504_thailand.html

Photos and captions:

(Left)Conclusion of Memorandum: From front left, Prof. Hideaki Ohgaki(Institute of Advanced Energy), front right, Dean, Associate Professor, Kamphousi Southisombat(Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos). Dr. Keonakhone Khounvilay (National University of Laos) and Mr. Ryuichi Fukuhara stand in the middle of the back row 

(Right)Group photo of the delegates after AJCCST-10. From back left, Mr. Fukuhara and Ms. Chisato Saito (Kyoto University)右)日ASEAN科学技術委員会:各国使節団の集合写真。後列左より福原コーデイネータ―と斎藤URA。.

 (Left) Vice Minister Houmphanh Intharath (Right) Mr. Fukuhara reportingthe establishment of JASTIP joint laboratory in Lao PDR, during AJCCST-10


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