​Representatives from MECOH attended the International Water and Environment Technology Conference (WET) held at Okayama University (Okayama City, Okayama, Japan), on the 20th-21st of July 2024. This conference was organized by Nagare Hideaki and his team from the Japan Society on Water Environment (JWET) and sponsored by the Swing (水ing) corporation. Topics related to the water environment were the main focus, and a hybrid-type (short oral presentation & poster session) forum was the main mode of scientific communication to promote the exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge among scientists, engineers, and students. 

For this conference, Prof. Dr. Anwar Hossain led the entourage of multinational MECOH students including Ngure Kagia, Dan Joseph Logronio, Md. Shafiujjaman, and KyleYoung from Kenya, The Philippines, Bangladesh, and Malaysia respectively.  The group traveled by car through the beautiful countryside of Shikoku, crossed the Seto Ohashi Bridge, and arrived at the bustling city of Okayama. The road trip helped the group gain a deeper appreciation for Japan. 

On the first day, participants delved into diverse topics on water environmental analysis, toxicology and health concerns, treatment and recycling, and other general subjects in water and environment. For both Shafiujjaman and KyleYoung, it will be their very first international conference in Japan. Thanks to the unique hybrid-type forum, our MECOH representatives were given an equal opportunity to present each of their studies.  The participants were able to enjoy both presentation styles and engage in intellectual discussions.  

​Of course, a conference will not be complete without opportunities to network with fellow researchers and students. The conference also featured a gala dinner that has everything for everyone. Japanese cuisine, halal food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, etc. 

- Ngure

​The concluding day featured further discussions and an award ceremony. Importantly, Dan received the excellent presenter award from the President of JSWE Prof. Dr. Ike Michihiko. Well done Dan!

- Dan

​We are all about building bridges, not walls. The WET conference is one of the international cooperation opportunities that we hope to dedicate far into the future. See you in the next one!

​Ehime University – Padjadjaran University International Collaborative Research Laboratory (EU-UNPAD ICRL) Director, Dr. Kozo Watanabe, visited Padjadjaran University Indonesia from June 24th to 27th in Bandung city. The purpose of this visit was to coordinate the UNPAD ICRL undertaking, specifically on current research and future collaboration with Padjadjaran University officials. On June 24th, Dr. Kozo had a sharing session with the Dean of Padjadjaran University Graduate School, Prof. Dr. med. Setiawan, to discuss the current agreement and future possibilities of expanding the ICRL. 

Between discussions, Dr. Kozo had the chance to visit the laboratories and facilities of Padjadjaran University Graduate School building.

​In the afternoon, Dr. Kozo was invited to deliver a seminar to the graduate and undergraduate Medical Students of Padjadjaran University, titled “Eco-Epidemiology of Dengue Mosquitoes from Modeling and Genetic Approach”.

​On June 25th, Dr. Kozo along with Dr. Lia Faridah and staff M.A. Thufail visited the dengue sampling site and primary health care unit at Cimahi City. The purpose of this visit is to evaluate the progress of dengue detection in Cimahi City which was conducted and assisted by primary health care personnel and the residents living there. With this visit, the ICRL is committed to support the primary health care unit in Cimahi to detect and combat the dengue epidemic and prevent an outbreak.  

After the on-site visit to Cimahi, Dr. Kozo participated in a lab tour of UNPAD ICRL in the PAMITRAN building. As some of the lab equipment is not ready yet, UNPAD ICRL hopes to collaborate with the team of Health, Safety, and Environment Team (HSE) Laboratory to develop the facilities in Bandung. So, Dr. Kozo got acquainted with the members of HSE Teams.

Finally, on June 26th, Dr. Kozo had a discussion with the Director of Padjadjaran University Research and Community Service Division, Prof. Rizky Abdulah, to talk about ICRL agreements and current research conducted in Cimahi.  

Dr. Kozo's engagements with university officials, students, and health care personnel underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing molecular ecology research and public health initiatives. The visit also laid the groundwork to enhance the partnership between Ehime University and Padjadjaran University.