12th World Filtration Congress

Reporter: Anioke George Obinna, Master student, Nagasaki University
Conference title: 12th World Filtration Congress
Venue: Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) and Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1 (TWTC), Taipei
Date: April 11 – 15, 2016



First of all, I would like to acknowledge Japan international cooperation Agency (JICA) and my supervisor Takahiro Fujioka for giving me this ample opportunity to attend this 12th World filtration congress, which was held at Taipei international convention center(TICC) and Taipei world trade center exhibition hall 1 (TWTC) from April 11 – 15, 2016. 12th world filtration congress (WFC 12), a scientific committee aims to serve as a platform for all professionals to discuss the latest findings and state-of-the-art technologies in filtration industry, creating opportunities for young scholars to participate in international academic activities, as well as stimulate commercial activities and industrial development. The committee made a great effort to arrange 6 plenary lectures, 18 keynote lectures, 10 special sessions, 4 short courses, and also recruited 361 papers from 25 countries. On the other hand, up to 158 exhibition booths from 115 companies coming from 14 countries were presented. The conference was well attended.

As a master student in Nagasaki University, it was a very enriching experience for me to attend this conference. My objective was to abreast myself of the latest development and state-of-the-art technologies in membrane filtration and separation which will help in my research work in the University. I registered for short course III (membrane filtration and separation) which is one of the four short courses offered in the conference. At the end of the course I was able to gain more knowledge in the latest development in membrane filtration and separation principles, membrane formation and preparation, membrane modification and characterization and most importantly membrane fouling and mitigation; anti fouling reverse osmosis membrane, improved fouling reduction of membrane by incorporation with electro-coagulation in membrane bioreactor, biofouling control  by Quorum quenching bacteria entrapping media in membrane bioreactor. Also the exhibition of the state-of-the-art technologies in the filtration industry avail me of the opportunity to meet and exchange contacts with stakeholders in the industry.

Finally, I feel that attending WFC 12 really helped me a lot and I learnt different things. My objectives were fully met and the courses provided a valuable learning experience for me and I recommend that engineers should endeavor to attend the next one. I really appreciate the support of JICA and my supervisor for making it a success for me.

The 2nd Marine Industry Forum

On March 23^rd, the 2^nd Marine industry forum was organized by Nagasaki Prefecture Government at Best Western Hotel. The topic was: Growing International Cooperation for Marine Renewable energy and the Potential of Nagasaki. There were more than hundreds of participant from Asia, Europe, USA joined this conference. Keynote speaker was Mr. Hirofumi Takano. He is an Operating officer and General Manager in Renewable energy department at Class NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai). The conference showed the achievement and ongoing projects in marine renewable energy. Through this conference, more knowledge and information from marine energy field was discussed and shared, leaded to promises in future where people use energy from the ocean to address the energy problems.

(Class NK developed certification guidelines for Marine Energy Conversion System such as wave power, ocean current, tidal current and OTEC (Ocean thermal energy conversion). Class NK will conduct certification service for Marine energy conversion system).
 

Moving week

We call this week is "Moving week" because we have to move our lab and our dormitory ^^ It is really tired because these things happened at the same time. Our lab have to move to another building. We will have many new friends in Pharmacy faculty. 

We are deep in hundred of boxes. 

Our new lab - More beautiful, more fun 

Also, we have to move out our dormitory to new apartment. Time is so fast. We have studied in Japan for 1 year. Now, Sakura is starting their first flowers and we are going to start second year. Thanks to Japan, we have received many interesting things. Knowledge, friendships, problems - these things have helped us be more mature.

Batch Experiment

These days are really busy for us. We are doing Batch experiment. Preparation took 1 week and today, we run the system. We hope the experiment will have good result as we expect. It is really interesting, however, it makes us tired >"< Many problems occurs when we do experiment. We try to control everything as we want, however, something still happen as to challenge us. This time is also the first time I try with electric field. Although I just follow our Professor's instruction, I still feel happy with my first achievement in electric field. Now, everything is on its trajectory. Just 1 more week, our Spring vacation is coming ^^ 

NU WTG Supporter's update

It's been 4 months since Princess Fujioka first appeared on our NU water treatment group's blog. She is back now below with some more hair on her head:)

Nagasaki Chanpon festival

Last Sunday we joined the Nagasaki Chanpon festival organized by city office. Lets see how wonderful we were.

First winter in Nagasaki

We have passed through a very wonderful winter in Nagasaki. Although temperature is not comfortable for us, we try to find optimistic ways to enjoy the weather. Now outside is -2 Celsius degree and we have snow now. We heard that this is the first snow in Nagasaki for 15 years. So, we think we are so lucky to have chance to enjoy snow.

Our university now

And here is our dormitory - Snow everywhere 

 We joined snow activities with Japanese friends in our dormitory

And here is our achievement ^^

First New year holiday in Japan

We have gone through a very wonderful New year in Japan.  A first day of New year, we went to Shimabara with our special friend - Michiko. She and her son took us there and we all together watched the sunrise. Wonderful!!! It made us fell peace, refreshed all our soul and let it be ready for a new year coming.

After that, they took us to their house and invited us enjoy their first meal. Again, we were really surprising. Many food were served and we could not eat all. Michiko asked us to bring to our house :D

Our special friends - Michiko and her son

A groaning board they gave us

We voted this is the best delicious food ^^

It was really a wonderful memories. We are all student who study abroad and live far away from our family, sometimes we feel homesick, our friends here have helped us overcome this bad feeling. This special friendship makes us be more strong and give us many special things to our student life in Japan. Thank you Michiko, thank you Japan.

Wishing you a year filled with great joy peace and prosperity. Happy New Year 2016.

Party for International Students

Last Tuesday we joined a party for international students who will graduate on March 2016. Although we will graduated in 2017, we participated in this party as guests who have a performance.  We performed in front of hundreds of people. There was a little dither at first seconds but finally we did it.We chose a Vietnamese song with our traditional dress. There was a special support from our special friend from Thailand. It could be say that if we hadn't received his support, our performance wouldn't have attracted audience. It was really a wonderful time. Let's enjoy again our performance.