TOKYO, 6 Oct. 2019 – An academician and a researcher from the School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd. Fadhil Md. Din was elected to lead the Sakura Youth Exchange Programme 2019.
The programme that lasted for seven days was held at Waseda University of Japan from 29th September to 6th October 2019.
Prof. Fadhil said that in leading this seven days programme, he was assisted by Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dr. Santhana Krishnan from the Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA).
“Besides Dr. Santhana Krishnan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Hoa from Vietnam National University (VNU), Ho Chi Min City and Ms. Oulavanh Sinsamphanh from National University of Laos also joined as executive committee representatives,” said Prof. Fadhil.
Prof. Fadhil added that the Sakura program aims to promote science and technology in Asia and to enhance exchanges of youth between Japan and Asia.
“Besides encouraging collaboration between the industry-academia-government, this programme also served as the catalyst to raise the interest of Asian youths towards Japanese universities and research interests.
“For the year 2019, a total of 13 participants from ASEAN and Asiatic region have participated in this programme,” said Prof. Fadhil.
The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) operates the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (nicknamed the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science, or SAKURA Science Plan) for the purpose of inviting outstanding young students and young professionals from Asian countries on short-term visits to Japan.
Through activities to experience the advanced scientific technology of Japan and to conduct exchange with universities and research institutions, the program seeks to act as a bridge for personnel and research exchange between Japan and the partner countries.
“Since its inception in 2014, approximately 13,000 young people from 35 countries and regions (including ASEAN Member States) have visited Japan to learn, to participate in research exchange programme and training.
“The young people who have visited Japan through the program are expected to contribute to the development of science and technology in Asia in the future, as well as to the further spread of international exchange and networking,” said Prof. Fadhil.