Susumu Morikura
UEC, University Research Administrator, Organization for Research Promotion
University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo (UEC, Tokyo) held a symposium to commemorate the launch of the Info-Powered Energy System Research Center (iPERC) on 31st July, 2015. The iPERC was established to investigate and resolve global energy issues by nurturing human resources as part of an inter industry-academia-government collaboration.
The symposium included talks by prominent scientists, educators, government officials, and industrialists specializing in energy issues. More than 150 people attended the symposium, including participants from other universities, industry and government.
Takashi Fukuda, the President of UEC opened the symposium by welcoming the participants and giving a brief overview of iPERC. Then, Nobuaki Kawakami, the Director General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, MEXT, gave a congratulatory message. Ayao Tsuge, the President of the Japan International Science and Technology Exchange Center, then gave a keynote speech on Japan as an “Innovative Country driven by Sustainable Science and Technology”. Haruhisa Ichikawa, the Director of iPERC, gave a more detailed description of the mission and plans of iPERC.
In the session for industry leaders, Takemitsu Kunio, senior vice president of NEC, Tomiyasu Ichimura, senior director of Fujitsu Ltd, and Chiaki Itoh, vice president of Yokogawa Electric Corporation described their activities on their energy management businesses. These talks were very highly informative in understanding the current status of the energy business.
Finally, Seiichi Shin, vice director of iPERC gave concluding remarks on behalf of all the people associated with the symposium.
Following the success of this symposium, the directors of iPERC are planning to hold further meetings with associated members to explore and promote advanced solutions in energy management.