Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (left) and Dr. Fujino Hiroshi.
Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to jointly contribute towards improving water and environment conditions in the region.
The MoU was signed by KWEF and AIT on 1 December 2014 by KWEF
President Dr. Fujino Hiroshi, and AIT President Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai.
The MoU focuses on human resource development, particularly on
capacity building of young researchers. Activities planned under the
agreement include provision of research fund for young researchers, and
scientific workshops for exchanging information and sharing research
outcomes.
Dr. Fujino Hiroshi stated that since 1949, Kurita Water Industries has
worked towards development and protection of both water and the
environment. In 1997, Kurita Water and Environment Foundation was
established to contribute to the development of society and help
restore a clean environment.
AIT President Prof. Worsak said that both water and environment
constitute two or the focus areas for AIT. Both water and environment
are cross-border issues, making Kurita and AIT ideal partners .
Dr. Fujino Hiroshi was accompanied by a senior delegation which
included Prof. Ohgaki Shinichiro, President, Japan Water Research
Center, and former Vice Chairman of AIT Board of Trustees. Prof.
Motoyuki Suzuki, Emeritus Professor, The University of Tokyo, and
Adjunct Professor, The Open University of Japan; and Dr. Kohji
Nakamura, Secretary General, KWEF also joined the deliberations.
Kurita-GK Chemical Co., which had earlier announced support for an AIT
student in its School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD)
was represented by its President Mr. Takefumi Shimoda; Sales Division
Director, Mr. Nopporn Tia; and General Manager Mr. Tanachai
Nilkhiew.
AIT was represented by President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai; Prof.
Kazuo Yamamota, Vice President for Resource Development; Dr.
Chettiyappan Visvanathan, Dean, SERD; Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director,
Fundraising; Dr. Gabrielle Groves, Head, External Relations and
Communications Office (ERCO); Ms. Sumana Shrestha, Program Officer,
ERCO; and Mr. Carol Guzman, Assistant Program Officer, ERCO.
More details about KWEF are available at this link: http://www.kwef.or.jp/en/en_grant.html
