Member's Voice

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- Lau Woei Jye
- Current Affiliation :
Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia - Country/Region :
Malaysia - Name : Lau Woei Jye
Hello, everyone!
It is a privilege to share my experiences with the Sakura Science Exchange Program (SSP). I had the honor of participating in this program in 2018, accompanied by one of my PhD students. We were fortunate to be accepted by Toray Industries Inc. for a short industry attachment at its plant in Shiga. This experience was truly eye-opening, as it highlighted the professionalism of the plant workers in their daily operations. In addition to gaining valuable knowledge about proper techniques for evaluating reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, we also visited the Lake Biwa Museum, where we learned about the unique relationship between the lake and the local community.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to contribute as a coordinator for the 1st Sakura Science Club Alumni Meeting held in Malaysia, a role I continue to fulfill to this day. As of 2024, we have successfully organized four alumni meetings, including a virtual gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, through the collective efforts of all coordinators, we officially registered the Malaysia Alumni of Sakura Science Association (MASSA) with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) Malaysia. To stay updated on MASSA’s progress, you can visit our official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaAlumniofSakuraScienceAssociation
Since my participation in the SSP in 2018, I have sought further opportunities to collaborate with Japan on scientific projects. Recently, my research proposal, in partnership with Kyoto University, was accepted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the NEXUS – Young Talents Exchange and Capacity Development Program (Leadership Exchange Course). This project focuses on advancing membrane treatment technologies to address risks associated with trace organic chemicals (TrOCs), microplastics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their associated genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments. More information about the project can be found here. The program will sponsor three trips to Japan in 2025, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating closely with my Japanese colleagues.
I encourage both students and academicians to explore the various programs offered by JST. These initiatives provide incredible opportunities for growth and collaboration, and I strongly recommend applying.
Wishing you all the best in your applications!