The Third Workshop between Myanmar and Kyoto University on Engineering and Science in Commemoration of the Late Professor Koichi Ono (28 August 2014)

Kyoto University and Mandalay Technological University held the Third Workshop between Myanmar and Kyoto University on Engineering and Science in Commemoration of the Late Professor Koichi Ono (Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Administrator) on 28 August 2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar. The workshop was originally initiated by Professor Ono to promote mutual collaboration and friendship between Myanmar and Japan.

Over 280 attendees from Kyoto University and partnering universities and ministries in Myanmar convened at the workshop to promote collaboration and partnership between Myanmar and Kyoto University under Kyoto University’s initiatives such as Supporting Program for Interaction-based Initiative Team Studies (SPIRITS) and the Kyoto University Program on Promotion of International Collaboration on Bioresources Management in Myanmar (PICBiRMa).

The workshop commenced with an opening address delivered by Aung Kyaw Myat, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Myanmar, who expressed his deepest condolences and appreciation to the late Professor Koichi Ono, who was a founder of the current collaboration between Myanmar and Kyoto University. The opening address was delivered by Hiroshi Kitagawa, Deputy Executive Vice-President for Research, Kyoto University, and a tribute to Professor Ono was delivered by Hiromichi Shirato, Professor and head of the Unit for Enhancement of Engineering Higher Education in Myanmar of Kyoto University. All participants commemorated Professor Ono with a moment of silence.

Following the special tribute, keynote lectures were delivered by Myint Khaing, Associate Professor and Head of Remote Sensing Department, Mandalay Technological University, Tint Swe, Director of Training and Research Development Division, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Myanmar, and Hiroshi Kitagawa of Kyoto University.

A series of collaboration sessions was then held for each project under the 8 SPIRITS Projects and PICBiRMa in the fields of civil engineering, disaster prevention, water environment and bioresources management.

The Closing Remark was delivered by Myint Thein, Pro-Rector of Mandalay Technological University. The delegation from Kyoto University was greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm of their Myanmar colleagues in further promoting cooperation and building friendship between Myanmar and Kyoto University, as envisioned by Professor Ono.