Professor Kozo Watanabe and Dr. Kohei Hamamoto attended the Kick-off Meeting held on April 21, 2025, at De La Salle University (DLSU), Laguna Campus. 
​The event, titled “Ensuring Safe Water for Laguna Through Advanced Analytical Technologies,” marked the official launch of the project “Systematic Monitoring Survey of Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) in Laguna – from Water Source to Distribution End Point, Drinking Water.”
This project is funded under the NEXUS Program, jointly supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines.

At the event, esteemed panellists from major institutions and companies—De La Salle University (DLSU), Laguna Water Corporation, and Ehime University (EU)—including Professor Kozo Watanabe, delivered forward-looking and insightful presentations. The meeting was attended by over 40 participants and concluded successfully, setting a strong foundation for the collaborative project ahead.

​Following the symposium, a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was held, further solidifying the partnership between Ehime University (EU) and De La Salle University (DLSU). This agreement promises to strengthen collaboration in student exchange and future joint research initiatives. In addition, the EU team visited various research facilities at DLSU, including the International Collaborative Research Laboratory (ICRL). Productive discussions were made regarding the expansion of research capacity and the development of future collaborative projects.

Later that evening, a dinner gathering was held, providing a warm and relaxed atmosphere for all participants. It was a wonderful opportunity for researchers, faculty, and collaborators to deepen ​their friendships, exchange ideas informally, and celebrate the successful start of the project. The evening was filled with engaging conversations, laughter, and a shared sense of excitement for the collaborative journey ahead.

​In the days following the event, Dr. Kohei Hamamoto traveled across central and southern Luzon to conduct field observations and water sampling. These on-site activities laid the groundwork for future research.

By Anwar Hossain ​

The research project titled "Project for Implementing Water Quality Monitoring and Purification Technologies to Mitigate Health Risk for Antimicrobial Resistance in Dhaka Metropolitan Area" has been approved with joint funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) framework, this project aims to monitor water quality and introduce purification technologies in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, and establish the Dhaka Water Environment Research Center (DHWERC). The project runs from April 2026 to March 2031 with a probationary period from May 2025 to March 2026. The project will be implemented by the Department of Environment of Bangladesh, Shizuoka University, Yamagata University, and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, led by Dhaka University and Ehime University in Japan.

​Both Prof. Kozo Watanabe and I share the role of principal investigator (PI), where I act as his Bangladeshi counterpart. For this visit, both me and Prof. Kozo Watanabe, and with our associate Dr. Bijon K Mitra, were in Bangladesh to officiate the commencement of the project. Several agreements were made with key figures from Dhaka University's research institutions, the Bangladesh government, and a wastewater management company.

First, at Dhaka University, we shared the project proposal. We discussed our future plan for implementing the project with the Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan of Dhaka University. 

While at Dhaka University, we met with Prof. Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University, and discussed the establishment of Dhaka Water Environment Monitoring Center. Followed by Prof. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury,  Honorable Treasurer, and discussed about Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ehime University, Japan, and Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Additionally, we have engaged with other Dhaka University Institute staff, including the Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the fisheries department's chairman, Mr. Mohammad Mamun Chowdhury.

For the project, 500 million Yen were allocated to fund the research effort along with the establishment of facilities. To implement this, we approached the Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) and met Md. Abu Sayed, Honorable Additional Secretary, The Wing Chief responsible for America and Japan relations, to discuss the documentation process relating to the Record of Discussion (R/D). We also visited the Department of Environment (DoE) of Bangladesh and met the director, Mr. Mohammed Solaiman Haider, along with his team of scientists from the Dhaka  Laboratory and discussed about project implementation strategy and future collaboration.

Besides reaching out to academic and government officials, we are also open to engagements with the private sector. Mr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman,  Managing Director and Chief Engineer of PureLife (water and wastewater treatment) company at Dhaka joined us to discuss hospital wastewater treatment methods and the possibility of a future collaboration.

During Prof. Kozo's 4-day stay in Dhaka. We presided over a seminar titled ‘Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development’ on 29 April 2025 at the conference room of Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, Dhaka University. As the chief guest, Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the event with an opening address encouraging the audience to embrace opportunity and underscoring the importance of competitive awareness in research development. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha too gave a speech expressing her gratitude to Japanese institutions for enhancing Dhaka University's research infrastructure. Prof. Kozo explained about logistical details, explaining the SATREPS framework and budget while underscoring the benefits gained from the shared responsibility.​

​Now, the project had gained traction and received coverage from the media. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRSeYe4Ap4

Risks associated to multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise. With this project, we hope to lay the groundwork for a water quality monitoring system and wastewater treatment technology with the capacity to mitigate the antimicrobial-resistance problem. In that regard, let us continue to work hard and strengthen our collaborative effort through exchanges in science and culture. ​