Kyoto, Japan: UTM Vice Chancellor, Prof Dato Dr Zaini Ujang was invited for the second time to attend the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto, Japan from 2nd to 4th October. The STS Forum is the most prestigious forum among top scientists, policy makers and university presidents.
This year, 800 participants attended the 3-day event hosted by Koji Omi, founder of STS Forum and former Japan Minister of Finance.
Prof Zaini took part in the University President Forum, chaired by President of Kyoto University, and University Models for the 21st Century and Plenary session on S&T Education.
Apart from actively participating in the forum, Prof Zaini was the first to be invited on stage to respond to the views raised at the Closing Plenary, in the presence of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan.
During the session, Prof Zaini and Prof Lee Yuen Tseh, Nobel Prize recipient for Chemistry in 1986 commented on the effectiveness of science policy on climate change compared to ozone layer.
Apart from getting acquainted with Nobel Laureates, Prof Zaini also had the privilege of an audience with Crown prince Naruhito of Japan on October 4th.
In addition, Prof Zaini met President Emeritus Charles Vest of MIT, Prof Marye Fox, Chancellor of University of California, who is also the recipient of the highest National Medal of Science from US President in 2010, Dr Ellis Rubinstein, President of New York Academy of Science, and Jerome Friedman of MIT, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 1990.
STS provided the opportunity for UTM to be introduced to the August participants and this brings positive implications as this forum was well attended in terms of expertise and geographical representation.
It is expected that more collaboration between UTM and top scientists and premier institutions on research and academic exchange will be established.
In particular, some prominent scientists have expressed interest if invited as UTM Distinguished Visiting Professors in the near future, including Prof. Eric Mazur of Harvard, Prof Ismail Serageldin of the Library of Alexandria and Prof Charles Vest of MIT.
