 Seeking
to Create
a Cutting-edge
International
Academic
Foundation
for the
Scientific
Study of
the Next
Generation
of Fibers
When our
Center for
Fiber and
Textile
Science
began operation
last April,
we were
searching
for a new
undertaking,
and we received
an inquiry
as to our
interest
in participating
in the Asia/Africa
Science
Platform
Program
run by the
Japan Society
for the
Promotion
of Science
(JSPS).
While
recognizing
the importance
of continuing
research
and education
at the center,
we were
also aware
of the importance
of building
relations
with those
involved
in the same
and related
fields overseas.
We decided
to submit
our proposals
to JSPS,
and fortunately,
the plan
was approved.
The project
is soon
to be under
way.
Meanwhile,
we had applied
for and
were also
granted
Research
and Education
Funding
of the Ministry
of Education,
Culture,
Sports,
Science
and Technology
(MEXT).
This is
intended
to contribute
to the establishment
of a research
center,
or to lay
the foundation
in Japan
for research
in the field
of what
is now called
neo-fiber
technology.
More specifically,
it is intended
to fully
utilize
the research
concepts
of KIT,
e.g., recombinant
silk worm
DNA technology,
and techniques
used to
polymerize
biogenic
substances
such as
lactic acids
to develop
environmentally
friendly
new biofibers
or biomimetic
fibers.
In other
words, we
intend to
establish
our position
at the forefront
of research
and development
in the field
of new fiber
technology
in the 21st
century.
Due
to Japan's
advanced
fiber technology,
we are expected
to play
a leading
role in
the field
of fiber
internationally.
To this
end, we
have decided
to start
in Asia
and Africa.
Since the
industry
relies heavily
on Asia
and Africa
as suppliers
of raw materials
and fiber
products,
we aim to
infuse the
project
with the
perception
that the
academic
base for
fiber science
in this
particular
region of
the world
will become
a platform
for developing
the fiber
industry
worldwide.
Among
Asian countries,
Hong Kong,
Korea, China,
and Vietnam
drew our
attention
as partnership
candidates.
Hong Kong
and Korea
are known
for their
close ties
with Europe
and America,
and the
advanced
approach
of their
clothing
industries.
China is
known as
the workshop
of the world
and Vietnam
is a promising
new contender
in the fiber
industry.
With the
variety
of technologies
now being
transferred
from China
to Vietnam,
Vietnam
is a definite
focus for
our interest.
In Africa,
we decided
to invite
Egypt to
join the
project,
considering
the contact
we have
with the
country's
governmental
agencies
and our
increasing
academic
involvement
with Helwan
University
in Egypt.
In the future,
we would
also like
to invite
Iran, India,
and later,
Turkey to
join us.
The
six partner
universities
working
on this
project
(including
Helwan University,
which is
soon to
obtain KIT
partner
status)
are each
unique in
their approach
to fiber
studies,
and this
fact will
surely make
for an extensive
and substantial
project.
We are
planning
to create
a new international
academic
base for
fiber science,
while transferring
technologies
based on
Japan's
world-leading
fiber technology
to other
institutes
and countries
to help
develop
this technology.
The
first step
in this
direction
is an exchange
of personnel.
We are planning
seminars
that will
allow our
partner
universities
to examine
our technologies,
to see the
progress
in our joint
studies,
and to discuss
strategies
for strengthening
our partnership.
Recognizing
the importance
of educating
future generations,
we encourage
young scientists
to participate
in the program
to foster
inter-generational
exchanges
that will
contribute
to our joint
research.
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