Policy
Agenda for the second term of RECWET
Research Center for Water Environment Technology (RECWET) summed up its 10-years activity in 2009, the tenth year from its establishment. We prepared a report book to summarize its activities, conducted self-inspection and self-evaluation and proposed action policies for the future. External reviewing process was conducted to evaluate our activities and future plans. Based on the self-inspection, self-evaluation and external evaluation, RECWET was decided to continue its activities, not only by succeeding the past activities but also developing new features, as listed below.
1.Expand activities regarding water environment issues from Southeast Asia to all of Asia
The International Symposium on the Southeast Asian Water Environment will be extended to include all of Asia. In particular, water environment research in China and India, where environmental issues are becoming apparent as their economies grow dramatically, will be included as topics in the symposia. In addition to promoting SACWET’s activities, the symposia will be organized in collaboration with Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, which have been conducting cutting-edge environment research. The biennial publication of a series of collected papers, the Southeast Asian Water Environment, will be renamed Asian Water Environment. This publication will continue to function as a showcase of water environment research in Asia.
2.Integrate research on environmental chemistry and complex microorganism community
Research to control the water environment with complex microorganisms will be advanced by integrating chemistry with biology to elucidate the mechanism of substance conversion in water environments. In research project on combined sewer overflow by Grant-in-Aid for scientific research by Japan Society for Promotion of Science (FY2009-2011), research on urban water environment protection and control will be developed not only by succeeding research on complex microbial community but also by including environmental chemistry approach.
3.Develop flexible research activities through project-based research
Because our center has a small size, it is very flexible and can effectively conduct our endeavors by strategically connecting research projects by external funds and our activities as a research center. Our new project, “Development of Well-balanced Urban Water Utilization Systems adapted to Climate Changes” (Project Leader: Hiroaki Furumai, FY 2009 – FY 2014), has been initiated as a Core Research of Evolutional Science & Technology (CREST) project funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Based on this venture, we intend on developing various research activities about water environment management. Additionally, an educational project, “Asian Program for Incubation of Environmental Leaders” (Project Manager: Hiroaki Furumai, FY 2008 – FY 2012) funded by Special Coordination Fund for Promoting Science and Technology funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, will work to support our activities to groom leaders in the water environment field.
4.Strengthen collaborations with other domestic research centers for water environment
We have been strengthening our collaborations with other domestic research centers focused on water environments. Furthermore, we aim to be the core center of water environment research in Japan by organizing periodic symposia and information exchange meetings. In relation to the activity stated in program 1, RECWET will transmit information on water environment in cooperation with domestic and overseas related research institutes.
5.Enhance integration of practical and academic science
We will promote collaboration with waterworks and sewage works agencies and companies. We will consider the possibility of enriching educational activities for high-level practical water professionals. We will also develop scientific research to respond recent trend of water business.
Through all the program activities above, we strive to enhance the function of the international research hub in water environment technology in Asia.
