JICA President Akihiko Tanaka Visits the Analysis R&E Center of the Vietnam SATREPS Project Led by Professor Mawatari
- Posted
- Mon, 15 Jun 2026
Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), visited the Analysis R&E Center, a hub for technology development and human resource development established on the Hoa Lac campus of Vietnam National University (VNU), as part of the JST/JICA SATREPS project “The Project for Development of Easy-Operation High-Tech Analytical Devices and Human Resource for Food Safety and Environmental Quality Control” (hereinafter “the Project”). The Project is led on the Japanese side by Professor Kazuma Mawatari of the Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems (IPS), Waseda University.
During the visit, Professor Kazuma Mawatari and Professor Nguyen Van Noi of Hanoi University of Science (HUS), Vietnam National University, the project leader on the Vietnamese side, introduced the overview of the Project and the Analysis R&E Center. The visit provided an opportunity for President Tanaka to deepen his understanding of the significance of the Project, including the development of field-deployable analytical technologies, human resource development, and the deployment of such technologies in Vietnam.
Professor Mawatari explaining the Project to JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka
About the JST/JICA SATREPS Project “The Project for Development of Easy-Operation High-Tech Analytical Devices and Human Resource for Food Safety and Environmental Quality Control”
An International Joint Research Project Aiming to Develop Field-Deployable Analytical Technologies and Human Resources
The Project is an international joint research initiative that aims to develop analytical technologies for rapidly assessing water and air pollution on site in Vietnam, as well as a system for developing the human resources needed to apply these technologies.
Education and Training Activities Following the Opening of the Analysis R&E Center
Since its opening in November 2025, the Analysis R&E Center has served not only as a base for research and development, but also as a hub for human resource development in collaboration with relevant organizations in Vietnam.
In May 2026, a Training of Trainers (TOT) program on atmospheric environmental monitoring systems was held at the Center. Faculty members from Hanoi University of Science (HUS), staff members from the Northern Center for Environmental Monitoring, and representatives from other related universities participated in the program. The training included practical exercises using actual measurement equipment, including adjustment and maintenance of various instruments. The participants are expected to serve as trainers for local administrative authorities in the future.
Local Deployment and Expanded Application of Research Outcomes
During the visit, President Tanaka also toured the facilities and equipment of the Analysis R&E Center. Technologies currently under research and demonstration through the Project were introduced, including rapid measurement technologies for water quality and atmospheric environments, as well as analytical and fabrication systems using microfluidic channels. These initiatives aim to enable the technologies developed through the Project to be used locally and further deployed in Vietnam for environmental monitoring and human resource development.
Tour of the facilities at the Analysis R&E Center
President Tanaka was also briefed on efforts to expand the application of analytical devices being developed through the Project to food analysis through joint research with Vietnam Japan University (VJU). VJU is an education and research institution in which Waseda University is involved as one of the coordinating universities for the development and operation of educational programs. From the 2026 academic year, Professor Mawatari is also scheduled to participate in education at VJU as a lecturer, teaching courses on microfluidic engineering and analytical chemistry.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration within IPS
In April 2026, Associate Professor Yuya Ieiri from the Information Architecture field at IPS joined the Project. Associate Professor Ieiri serves as the leader of Output 5, which focuses on integrating data obtained from remote sensing, monitoring stations, and low-cost devices, and using AI-based analysis to develop technologies for environmental mapping. He is also expected to contribute to initiatives related to social science perspectives in Vietnam, aimed at disseminating and establishing the new technologies developed through Outputs 1 to 5, as well as the outcomes of human resource development, within Vietnamese society.
With this development, the Project is being advanced as an interdisciplinary initiative that links analytical device and measurement technology development with data analysis, social implementation, and human resource development, jointly promoted by the Production Systems field and the Information Architecture field at IPS.
Future Developments
The visit highlighted that the Analysis R&E Center is steadily beginning to function as a base for research and development as well as education and training following its opening. Going forward, the Project will continue to integrate environmental monitoring, food analysis, data analysis, and human resource development, while working toward the social implementation of field-deployable analytical technologies and the sustainable development of human resources in Vietnam.
