2015 Report(Others)

My presentation was about thermal analysis of electrolytes for Grätzel-type solar cells. These solar cells are a widely researched topic in the last decades in several countries. I am working in this topic for a few years together with greek collagues. It was a great opportunity to talk about our results during this event in Shizuoka knowing that there are others also research in similar topic and discuss the latest achievements.

The University sits on a nice hilly area with a lot of green between the campus buildings. It was easy to reach with the bus ordered only for us to take us there from the hotel. The university is well equipped, what was obvious from the local student’s presentation, research field, the used instruments and results. The room used for as symposium room was perfectly suitable and prepared with all equipment needed during the day. The organizers were very well prepared, no problem occurred during the symposium and everything went smoothly.

I’ve been in Japan before only for a short vacation and I was already enchanted by the culture and tradition so I was really happy to be invited to visit again and have a chance to see Fuji-san. This time I got really close experience about the life in japan what made this time really special and I am looking forward visiting Japan again.

Thank you so much for inviting me to attend 2016 International Symposium toward the Future of Advanced Researches in Shizuoka University. I really enjoyed this symposium. It’s my pleasure to introduce my recent research work in Shizuoka University.

Shizuoka University is well known in the field of engineering, in creative innovation, and in the invention of next generation technology. This University have beautiful campus and convenient transportation.

Actually, I have been Shizuoka City three times. I have really enjoyed my stay in Japan, even three days.I like this city. I wish next time have enough time to visit some other cities in Japan.

Hope I can start some cooperation with Shizuoka University.

On the conference, I gave a presentation on the preparation of porous mullite ceramics. This ceramics could be used as filter of waste gas or water with large particls, it possesses good properties, such as high mechanical strength, high temperature properties, low thermal expansion coefficient and wide raw material sources. So it plays a quite important role in the environmental protection filed. The audience were interested in it, they gave me two useful questions. The questions help me better understand my work and the existing problems, they are beneficial to my future research.

Thanks for Shizuoka University and the related personnel, particularly Prof. Hirokatsu Tatsuoka, who invited me and gave me the chance to visit the university and gave a talk on the symposium. The environment of the campus is great. The research atmosphere of Shizuoka University and the diligence of the students and professor there have touched me.

The experience to Japan and Shizuoka University was wonderful, significant and helpful. Japan is a great country, the environment, surroundings and people there all left a good impression on me, and had great influence on me. The streets there are extremely clean even there are no dustbins. People there are fairly modest, kind, with good quality. They always with smile on their face and never speak loudly in the public.

The visit to Japan and Shizuoka University enhanced my research and changed some of my life ideas. I was greatly influenced by the quality of the country. I will study hard with my research after I came back and be careful with detail. The academic communication with students in Prof. Tatsuoka’s group is helpful, maybe we could get some useful revelations from this communication in our future research. I hope we can cooperate more research work with each other in future.

First of all, I’d like to appreciate Prof. Park in Shizuoka University. He invited and gave me a chance to have a great symposium. At the symposium, I introduced the bioelectronics device which as the new field of nanobiotechnology. Several Ph. D. students and Post-doc asked to me some critical questions about my research. Those questions and comments are quite helpful for my future research. The symposium is very meaningful experience.

When I was in Shizuoka city, I felt like all members of Research Institute of Green Science and Technology in Shizuoka University in were well trained to research project. They handle various research fields from the green science to nanobiotechnology. The students spoke English very fluently and kind.

For me, the Japanese are very helpful and polite which was great for me being on a “self-guided tour to Shizuoka” as I just had to get myself from Tokyo to Shizuoka using one of the most amazing public transportation systems such as “Shinkansen” and subway. From the transportation systems to the culture, I would say Japan and Japanese make me feel comfortable.

During the symposium, there are many scientists from various countries that improve my sight for the nanobiotechnology. After finishing the symposium, I had a discussion with Prof. Park and Prof. Deo for collaboration research project between Sogang University and Shizuoka University. I am pretty sure this collaboration will be given successful and meaningful results.

I have researched on marine viruses since three years at Shizuoka University and it was my great pleasure to share my knowledge and research entitled “Vibrio corallilyticus phages isolated from seawater, Okinawa, Japan” on the 22nd February for the “2016 International Symposium towards the Future of Advanced Researches in Shizuoka University – Joint International Workshops on Advanced Nanovision Science/Advanced Green Science/Promotion of Global Young Researchers in Shizuoka University”. This research is a new field in coral ecology and so far, we had very interesting results, whereby the isolated marine viruses can be used as a possible treatment for diseased corals in terms of phage therapy.

Studied at Shizuoka University was very fruitful and rich in experience. It was not only an opportunity to increase my knowledge but also a challenge to research on high quality research and manipulate high advanced technology apparatus and equipment, which was perfectly managed in a good way. In addition, the University gave us opportunity to participate in national workshops, seminars, and conferences, hence it built up one’s capacity and potentials to interact with other researchers. As a result, the University indirectly acted as a facilitator to connect researchers and promote networking.

I have been in Japan for more than three years and it was a great experience to be in Japan. Japan has a rich culture and tradition, from which I have learnt a lot to construct myself personally and professionally. The four seasons, accompanied with unique festivals merged with the politeness and kindness of the people enrich this country with a multitude of strong values. Studying in Japan had offered me many opportunities to learn and discover different aspects of the environment and sociocultural philosophies of Japan.

Coral ecosystem offers a huge economy income for many people around the world in terms of food, revenues such as fishing, tourism activities and leisure. It bears a vast number of marine organisms and is also known as the marine forest in the ocean as it consumes a massive amount of carbon dioxide. My study was mainly focused on isolating marine viruses known as phages, which can be used as biocontrol agents to decrease the rate of coral diseases infection. Coral reef ecosystem is very important to mankind and other organisms. Coral diseases is one of the major threats to corals, every year we are loosing corals on a worldwide scale and it is estimated that in 2030 more than 90% of the global coral reefs will be in danger (WRI, 2010). Hence, we cannot afford loosing our corals reefs without seeking for a possible remedy for diseased corals. As a result, the research carried out at Shizudai was to isolate the specific phage against certain corals pathogens and use the isolated phage to seek for a possible treatment for diseased corals in the future, in order to protect our precious coral reefs not only in Japan but world wide.

I feel great pleasure that I got a chance to visit Shizuoka University in this January under the invitation of Professor Dr. Beatriz E. Casareto for presentations and discussions on future research topics in collaborations between my university (Tribhuvan University) and Shizuoka University. That was my third short visit to Shizuoka University, Japan. Before I did short visits to Shizuoka University under the invitation of Professor Beatriz. E. Casareto in 2011 and Professor Yoshimi Suzuki in 2015. Apart from that, I spent considerable years at Shizuoka University, first as a PhD student (from 2002 to 2005) and then as a visiting researcher (from 2005 to 2008 and 2011 to 2013). During my stay in Japan I did researches with Professor Casareto and Professor Suzuki at Shizuoka University. I did research on plankton communities and their biomass under mild nutrients enrichments, and on the role of cyanobacteria in planktonic primary production and biomass under different pCO2 levels. I also did research on the abundance and biomass of planktonic communities under different concentration and types of nutrients and their implications in ecosystem dynamics and flow and flux of carbon, and also on the biomass of plankton under different pCO2 levels and the role and response of these plankton to global increase in temperature and CO2.

During my visit in January 2016, I did academic and research discussions with Professor Dr. Beatriz E. Casareto and Professor Dr. Yoshimi Suzuki. I also gave presentations to doctor course students and other interested persons on plankton communities and their biomass under mild nutrients enrichments in oligotrophic water, and on the role of cyanobacteria in planktonic primary production under different pCO2 levels.

I am familiar with Shizuoka University and its academic environment and excellence for the last many years. I am very much impressed with the ever increasing academic and research qualities of Shizuoka University. I found that Shizuoka University has increased its research horizon and provided extensive facilities for doing research. I saw many world class researches are being conducted at Shizuoka University.
I also praise the policy of Shizuoka University to invite foreign professors and researchers for mutual interaction and possible collaboration.
I found that for foreign students, their professors help to solve their personal problems of settlement arising due to language and new environment, and provide free and smooth academic environment for them. I have also found that even the professors of other departments show concern to the foreign students and encourage them to learn and study freely and confidently. I also found that the administrative staff of Shizuoka University provide full support to foreign students in dealing with administrative matter and are always willing to help more.

Apart from professors and students of Shizuoka University, I have also come into interaction with many Japanese people during my stay in Japan, and got the chance to share social and cultural experiences with them. I appreciate the help and considerations of Japanese people to me and other foreign nationals. I found that most of the Japanese people know something about my country and they are very interested to know more about my country and its culture and tradition. I also got the chance to know more about Japanese culture, tradition including food and dresses. I appreciate the nature of Japanese people to respect others and believe in human relations. I also tasted many Japanese foods among which I liked the Sushi very much. Finally, I would like to say that Japanese people are very helpful and I am fascinated by the development of Japan and the dedication of Japanese people towards their works, responsibilities and value of time. I enjoyed my stay in Japan.

I found my visit has become quite important and fruitful for me to further increase my professional and academic growth. The research which I did at Shizuoka University has significantly increased my research levels and potentialities and helped me to formulate similar research on plankton and ecosystem dynamics in Nepal.
I also learnt many new techniques of teaching and the approaches of research implemented by the professors and researchers of Shizuoka University which I am also planning to use at my university.
The presentation provided me a chance to interact with the students and researchers of Shizuoka University and share knowledge among us. During my visit I found many foreign students studying at Shizuoka University and many of them attended my presentation. Due to this I got an opportunity to interact and share knowledge with them also.
In the context of changing climate condition throughout the world it is necessary to have some sort of collaboration across countries and universities to exchange knowledge and to deal jointly with the adverse effects of global climate change on ecosystems and the livelihood and wellbeing of human beings. Therefore, we discussed with the professors of Shizuoka University about the possibility of collaborative research between Shizuoka University and Tribhuvan University on aquatic ecosystems studies (structure, function and dynamics), and on ecosystems responses under changing environmental conditions caused by increased human activities. Our discussion was focused mainly to investigate the physic-chemical parameters, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton and other algae including cyanobacteria of different size groups, zooplankton and other heterotrophs of different size groups, and food web structure and of different aquatic ecosystems. We also discussed on the sustainability and management of these ecosystems for better ecosystem services. Moreover, we discussed on possibility of collaborative research and assistance by Shizuoka University on the issue of global interest like climate change through local and regional efforts and the ways to deal with increasing CO2 by using plankton and their biomass.

When I were in Japan, I were joint on research activities about high detectivity THz wave device development based on Silicon fabrication to fulfill demand of THz technology application used in room temperature. This research is a collaboration between Professor Norihisa Hiromoto and Professor Hiroshi Inokawa. I have had many insights and learn how to do research properly and precisely with various research facilities which are available in Shizuoka University. I also had a chance to enjoy hiking activity together with all members of Hiromoto Laboratory. We visited many historical sites related to Tokugawa Ieyasu in Hamamatsu city, such as Hamamatsu Castle, The Monument of Honda Higonokami Tadazane, Toshogu Shrine and Tsubakihime Kannon.

Japan is a country that well-organized, clean, filled with people who are extremely polite and friendly. Japanese even though are very modern, but they still respect and hold onto their traditions. The food, people, architecture, culture and facilities definitely was bliss. Eating a raw fish and octopus was something that I thought in my life but now I can eat these things as deliciously as like any other Japanese. In my experience, Asian countries always have much better hotel service than in the West, but Japan is the best. The best hospitality from the hotel staffs with a wave of good-bye on the check-out day, always bow, and very helpful during staying there make me felt that I’m not alone and secure. For me, Japan will always be a place to return to on the first possible occasion. Japan is a safe country where people live in peace and harmony.I really enjoyed in this beautiful and fantastic country.

I really enjoyed every minute of my stay in Shizuoka University. From the interesting research at laboratory to the great times I had traveling to the amazing people I met, I think, this program give me the amazing experiences and I would like to grab the opportunity to do something similar again, in a near future. Meeting with experienced Professors especially Prof. Hiroyuki Futamata in particular has made me consider another research internship and contribute on the collaborative research works in the next stage with their team as well.
This program not only enhanced my knowledge in my field of research but also gain me a many helpful things through my daily life in Japan. Before I went back to Universiti Putra Malaysia, once again, I would like to thank you to all for the marvelous hospitality. The conference was definitely successful and I wish to congratulate the organizers of the program especially Prof. Yuko Ryan and Prof. Noriko Matsuda from International Center of Shizuoka University.

I have spent about eight days in Japan, from 29th November to 6th December. On 30th November, I attended the Inter-Academia Asia 2015 at Associa Shizuoka Hotel. There was a symposium during the day on “What do employers want from University graduates? – The goal of Asia Bridge Program-SU”. Meanwhile during the night, I attended the Welcome and Networking Reception. It was a very pleased moment as we got to have a new networking between university and company. On the 1st December, I attended the IAA 2015: Inter-Academia Asia Young Researchers as I got to hear the oral research presentations and posters at Shizuoka Convention Centre. I felt very good at that time because I did not just stand a chance to share my knowledge on research with others, but I also get to know many local and international students within Asia such as from China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The IAA 2015 ended with closing & meeting for opinion exchange. It is a good session as I can enhance my knowledge on student exchange. I spent the next three days in the Shizouka University. On the 2nd Dec, I arrived at Futumata Lab attending a welcoming party as I get to know other undergrad students as well as postgrad such as Prof. Futumata and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tashiro. On the 3rd Dec, I was having a discussion about my research with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tashiro, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shintani, Prof. Kimbara and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yoshida. It was such a nice experience to get to share our experiences on environmental microbiology and environmental biotechnology. Our discussion was particularly about the molecular study and bioremediation of pollution. Furthermore, I also managed to give my opinion on making collaboration with them by sending postgrad students to carry out some of their master’s and PhD’s study in Shizouka University.

Shizouka University is a very clean, beautiful and comfortable university. That are the thing that I could say after staying for two nights in the university’s guesthouse. I also noticed that this university was fully equipped with facilities as well as public transports from the university to the city that are efficiently functioning. It also has such good laboratory equipment. Not to be forgotten its high level of discipline contained among students, which were showed by the students’ desire to discuss and learn in more details even though they have a communication boundary as they cannot fluently speak in the English language. For me, it is a great perseverance spirit that should be followed.

Japan is modern country with a clean environment and dedicated people. It is also a country with very good transportation facilities, which is shown by the Shinkasen train that is very fast and buses that are very comfortable and punctual. The people here are very helpful when it comes to showing the direction of the places I want to go. There are also lots of historical places that should be visited such as Shizouka Sengen Shrine, Johoku Park and Yoyogi Park. The foods here are very tasty and fresh as they were sold at a very reasonable price especially seafood.

Experience is the most vital factor that gets me spirited to perform collaboration with the Shizouka University especially with Prof. Futumana and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tashiro. I will make sure that some of my students will carry out a part of their Master’s and PhD’s study here next year. I also hope to come back here in the Shizouka University and meeting with all lecturers and students involved in the collaboration research and grant. I will always wait for the return visit of good relation between Universiti Putra Malaysia and Shizouka University on March. It is hoped that this visit will strengthen the relation of both universities and countries. I will not forget to promote the Shizouka University to my students.

Faculty of Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh). There are about 5500 students (undergraduate and post-graduate students) in BUET. There are about 600 researchers in the 5 faculties and the 5 institutes of BUET. In Fac. Engineering, there are 7 departments (Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Glass & Ceramic Engineering, Material & Metallurgical Engineering, Petroleum & Mineral Resources Engineering).

1. There are long communications between the two universities. There were 5 DC students from BUET.
2. Based on the MoU, we are planning to do collaborations about the student exchange and the studies on nano-materials.
3. BUET-GSST FORUM was held at Shizuoka Univ. on 27th, Jan, 2016. Dr. Md. Jellur Rahman presented “Introduction of BUET, Education & Reserach).
4. Co-writing paper: M. F. Mina, T. Mieno, et al., Materials Letter 167 (2016) 58-60. Co-writing book chapter: Md. J. Rahman & T. Mieno, “Carbon Nanotubes – Current Progress of their Polymer Composites”, INTECH, (2016) (in press).

Sandia National Laboratories：Dr. Dean Buchenauer, Dr. Robert Kolasinski

Major topics is the elucidation of plasma-wall interaction. In especially, head load effect on surface morphology change by plasma exposure is studied.

University of Tennessee at Knoxville： Prof. Steve Zinkle, Assist. Prof. David Donovan

Interaction between high temperature plasma and materials is studied. Prof. Steve Zinkleis known to be one of key researcher for irradiation material analysis in the world.

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Tropical Agriculture Research Center, Fatma Azwani.
The university is one of national universities in Malaysia, which is selected as the Research University. Post doctoral researchers and Ph. D. candidates students are about 1,000 people, respectively and the university is ranked at about 650th in the world.

Thammasat University, Materials Science Program, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Professors Sarute UMMARTYOTIN and Kittipong Chainok.

In the urban district, every public system had been developed and these were no difference among other countries. On the other hand, still developing the public system especially transportation systems such as trains and bus, so it was difficult to go to out side of university if we don’t have individual transporting system.

We shear the goal of our study that understanding microbial ecosystem. Depend on the case (what we can do in own lab.), we has to decide the role in our research to achieve the good collaboration. In Malaysia, some instruments were not fond or difficult to get. I felt that we will do incubation and monitoring in Malaysia and some analyses such as proteomics and interaction analysis will do in the our laboratory.

Despite short term visiting, I experienced a lot of things. Especially, starting up the new laboratory form nothing was very important opportunity for me. And this visiting give me the image when I try to go oversea laboratory to do post doctoral. My motivation for try to oversea laboratory was improved.