Newsletter

Global Center of Excellence (GCOE)
Kyoto University-University of Malaya

Kyoto University Global COE Program

Global Center for Education and Research on
Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities

Special Coordination Funds for Promotion Science and Technology
Strategic Program for Fostering Environmental LeadersInternational Center for Human Resource Development inEnvironmental Management

2011.08.

Issue

Vol. 1

A short visit and meeting with Kyoto University’s Executive Vice President (ExternalAffairs and Alumni) and delegates at GCOE
KU-UM office (June 29, 2011).

The new members in the organization of GCOE KUUM; Dr. Nobumitsu Sakai; Working Committee (endleft) and Azizi Abu Bakar; Research Assistant (endright).

GCOE KU-UM is an international program under:Welcome Message from UM Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Research & Innovation)
International collaboration is a process which can enhance research activities across internationalboundaries. The long standing academic rapport between Kyoto University and University of Malaya has
resulted in successful exchange of knowledge by researchers in multi-disciplinary areas since the 1990s.
The GCOE KU-UM program is designed to promote world class research hub in human security engineering and foster the next generation of leading researchers who are talented and will give birth to newknowledge and wisdom to tackle global problems and cultivate rich fields of knowledge. The Japanesefunding bodies particularly JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) and MEXT (Ministry ofEducation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) are the partners supporting this program. Collaboration with international partners such as is deemed necessary in order to maintain and strengthen Japan’s
leading position within the global scientific community. Globalization in research activities
Professor Dr. Hamzah Hj. Abdul Rahman has exerted a direct impact on university research planning strategy and knowledge dissemination via publication such as this is important to steadfastly expand and enrich theUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor
knowledge gained. May I extend best wishes for a fruitful future and sustainable sharing of(Research & Innovation)knowledge.
University of Malaya

Message from GCOE KU-UM Coordinator
The University of Malaya has successfully established long term collaboration with Kyoto
University stretching more than two decades notably under the JSPS-VCC program. Theyear 2010 gears up another avenue of research collaboration in the form of an offshorebase of Kyoto University known as Global Center of Excellence Kyoto University-Universityof Malaya or in abbreviation GCOE KU-UM. During the official launch in January 2010, twoprojects kick start the function of this offshore base namely Global Center for Education andResearch on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities (GCOE-HSE) and the International Center for Human Resource Development in Environmental Management (EML).
GCOE KU-UM has three objectives as its instrument of concern: 1) To carry out relevant
corporative research projects, 2) To recruit potential doctoral students, and 3) To constructan innovative academia in the related fields.

Professor Dr. Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman
GCOE KU-UM Coordinator
Dean of Sustainability Science (SuSci) Cluster
Senior Professor

The year 2011 saw the initiation of new program which is Asian Core program. All of these Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
University of Malaya
three programs have core elements based on collaboration of research in an international
set up. In the future as in the past, it is hope that continuation of this collaboration will pro- The coordinator is also the Holder of Dr. Siti
duce more new research areas which can lead to innovation of environmental system, tech- Hasmah Chair under the auspices of the Women’s
nology and solving problems particularly for Asian countries. In order to move forward, I Graduate Association of Malaysia.
humbly request for your great support and cooperation not only among universities but also
government bodies, government linked companies (GLCs), NGOs, industries and localcommunities. Thank you.

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 1

The opening ceremony of Kyoto University—
University of Malaya Overseas Base in Malaysia for
Education and Research on 20th January 2010.

Left: Tan Sri Prof. Dr.
Ghauth Jasmon (UM ViceChancellor) with former
Japan Ambassador; H.E.
Masahiko Horie. Middle:
The official launching
ceremony. Right: Signingof guest book in GCOE
KU-UM office.

From left: Prof. Dr. Yoshihisa Shimizu, Prof. Dr. Yuzuru Matsuoka, Prof. Dr.
Shigeo Fujii, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Jamil Maah, H.E. Masahiko Horie, Prof. Dr. Koichiro Oshima, Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Ghauth Jasmon, Prof. Ir. Dr.
Mohd Jailani Mohd Nor, Prof. Dr. Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman.

Right: The new IPPP building where
the GCOE KU-UM new office willbe transferred by December 2011.
The new building is just next toGCOE KU-UM former office at Institute of Graduate Studies (IGS)(upper right side).

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 2

Above: The official
pamphlet design for theopening ceremony.

The program commenced in academic year 2008 and will establish a new discipline called “Urban Human Security Engineering”. Its aim to strengthen and enhance the education and research functions of graduate school tofoster highly creative young researchers who will go on to become world leaders in their respective fields throughexperiencing and practicing research of the highest world standard. In order to establish this discipline, it will integrate four existing fields of urban governance, urban infrastructure management, health risk management anddisaster risk management into one discipline and strive for complementary collaboration across the study andresearch areas. The program also will disseminate the new discipline through the publication of a textbook series
in English language.

Program Leader:

YuzuruMatsuoka
URBAN GOVERNANCE
Strategies and techniques for establishing a system in which citizens and related stakeholders work together to enhance human security based on local characteristics.
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
Techniques for developing and planning city infrastructure with consideration not only tofinancial management but also to the social value of preventing and mitigating disasters andenvironmental hazards from the perspective of urban management.
HEALTH RISK MANAGEMENT
Innovative and localized technologies for urban sanitationand environment and developing relevant strategies.

Professor
Department of Environmental
Engineering,
Graduate School of Engineering,
Kyoto University

HSE overseas bases:

DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENTComprehensive disaster risk management plans andpolicies of cities and a methodology to implement itsstrategies.

The program will conduct the following activities:
1.
2.
3.

Human Resource Development: establish a new doctoral program (20 students per year).
Research Activities: promote key joint research projects and organize many international symposia andworkshops.
Management of Overseas Bases: operate the “Urban
Human Security Engineering Education and ResearchCenter,” and establish and develop a network of overseas bases for activity and cooperation.

The program welcomes your participation as:
1.
2.

Schematic diagram of HSE program’s concept
GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 3

Doctoral student
Partnership institution, organization and company.

This is a strategic program for fostering environmental leaders. The three graduate schools, Global
Environmental Studies, Engineering and Energy Science are taking the lead in this university-wideproject. In this program, to meet the demand of developing countries, through various research projects, we will foster environmental leaders who have the ability to solve environmental problems inAsia. For this purpose the program provides multidisciplinary coursework for understanding thesituation in Asia, long term internships for experiencing the duties of environmental leaders fromproblem finding to the presentation of solutions and thesis research directly related to environmental
issues in Asia.
The key features of the program:Multidisciplinary coursework (Lectures in English)
Strong emphasis on practical aspects (Internship program)
Thesis research

About this program:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Continues for five years to foster environmental leaders who can solve environmental problems in Asian countries.
Is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) asa part of “Strategic programs for cooperation in science and technology for Asia and Africa”.
Is run by Kyoto University as the core institution with close cooperation with overseas field
campuses and partnership institutions, organizations and companies.
Provides multidisciplinary coursework in environmental management, long term internships,
team projects and thesis research.
Will educate Masters and Ph.D. students through a long-term program, will provide a shortterm program at each overseas field campuses.

Schematic diagram of EML program’s structure

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 4Program Leader:

ShigeoFujii
Professor
Graduate School of Global
Environmental Studies,Kyoto University

CALL FOR:Research and Education Center for the Risk Based Asian Oriented Integrated
Watershed Management

Collaboration

Program Coordinator:

Four types of collaboration

Yoshihisa
Shimizu

Professor
The bid of the program was coordinated by Kyoto University and Univer- Graduate School of Engineeringsity of Malaya in 2010 (UM as the coordinator in Malaysia) and the other(Research Center for Environsupporting Malaysia universities are UKM, UTM and UMS. The duramental Quality Management)tion of this program is according to the Japanese financial year starting
Kyoto University
from April 2011 to March 2016. The research topics deemed to be of cutting-edge and high international importance (including all fields, i.e.
humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

 Water quality monitoring Water treatment
 Water usage
 Hydrological Analysis

 River pollutant
 Exposure amountTo create Malaysian type ofintegrated watershedmanagement system

 Governance system Nationality
Four research groups under Asian Core program

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 5

The Project Coordinators:

Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman

Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad

Noor Zalina MahmoodAssociate Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering,
University of Malaya

Senior Lecturer
Department of Science & Technology
Studies, Faculty of Science,
University of Malaya

Senior Lecturer
Institute of Biological Sciences,
Faculty of Science,
University of Malaya

A collaborative effort between the Kondo Rakyat (Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur) com-munity with their neighboring communities i.e. Telekom Malaysia (TM), University of Malaya, and Unilever to transform Kondo Rakyat into a more environmentally sustainableliving area.
Research Objectives:1)
To analyze several cycles of action research experiments, in order to initiate and assist thetransformation of the Kondo Rakyat community towards higher commitment in environmental sustainability.
2)
To apply systemic evaluation and reflection of the effectiveness for the action research experiments in achieving its objectives and to use the results of the evaluation and reflection toimprove the experiment further in subsequent cycles.
3)
To develop a comprehensive report on lessons learned from the Kondo Rakyat experience
not only for academic publication but also for public reading and dissemination.
*Four sustainability projects have been shortlisted for the research namely used-cooking oils, green bazaar,
kitchen garden and composting.
Table 1 Four projects and its objectives under the Kondo Rakyat action researchNOPROJECTSOBJECTIVES

1.

Used-cooking Oil

To create awareness, provide facilities as well as mechanism for a systematic used-cooking oil collection. This oil can then be sold to generateside-income for the community. Mitigation of water pollution can also beaddressed through this project.

2.

Green Bazaar

To set-up an iconic green bazaar for recyclables and environmentallyfriendly-based products at Kondo Rakyat. This project will encourage thepractice of recycling and entrepreneurship activities amongst the Pantai
Dalam community.

3.

Kitchen Garden

To fully utilize empty lands in the Kondo Rakyat compound by planting
various species of edible plants. These plants can be used personally by
the community or can be sold at the Green Bazaar. The concept of ‘1Rumah 1 Pokok’ (1 Plant per Home) will also be introduced in the project.

4.

Composting

To train the community of Kondo Rakyat about composting techniques
and to deliberate the possibility of establishing composting facilities in theKondo Rakyat.

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 6

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Note:
A.R. = Action Research

Programs and its duration under international collaboration between Kyoto University and University of Malaya

Programs Contact Information —————————————————————————————————————————
HSE program:
Urban Human Security Engineering Education and Research CenterC Cluster, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishiyoku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan

E-mail: contact@hse.gcoe.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Phone: +81-75-383-3412/3413
Fax: +81-75-383-3418
Web: http://hse.gcoe.kyoto-u.ac.jp
EML program:
Kyoto University EML Office

Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
E-mail: eml-core@ges.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Phone: +81-75-753-5925
Fax: +81-75-753-5923
Web: http://www.ges.kyoto-u.ac.jp/cyp/modules/jst/english
Asian Core program:Research Center for Environmental Quality Management
Kyoto University

1-2 Yumihama, Otsu 520-0811, Japan

E-mail: shimizu@biwa.eqc.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Phone: +81-77-527-6221
Fax: +81-77-524-9869
Action Research:
Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad

Department of Science and Technology Studies
Faculty of Science,University of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Email: kr_actionresearch@um.edu.my
Phone: +603-7967 7164
Fax: +603-7967 4396
GCOE KU-UM Contact Information ——————————————————————————————————————–GCOE Kyoto University-University of Malaya
Level 3, Block D, Research Cluster Office,Institute of Graduate Studies (IGS),
University of Malaya
50603, Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA.
E-mail: meriam@um.edu.my
Phone: +603-7967 4635 Fax: +603-7967 7813

GCOE KU-UM| Issue 1 August 2011 7