2024年9月、アドバイザリーコミッティ―を開催しました（English version only）

The Japanese researcher team visited South Africa in September, 2024. During their visit, all researchers involved in this project gathered to discuss the progress, current activities and future plans.

We also invited the Project Director and a person in charge from DSI to CPUT to participate in the Advisory Committee. From JICA headquarters, the Group Director for Environmental Management and Climate Change, Global Environment Department visited CPUT and participated in the activities.

The Advisory Committee meeting was especially fruitful to discuss various challenges faced by the team of researchers. In particular, this project was facing challenges in securing young researchers on the South African side, and DSI has advised on the use of the governmental scheme which called TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) to retain the young researchers.

After the Advisory Committee discussion, the group moved to the Department of Chemical Engineering where the analytical equipment and the pilot plant provided by Japan are located. Principal investigator Prof. OJUMU and Dr ORLETTE offered guidance for the members to grasp the technology and the circular economy model that we are aiming at.

Recently, online meetings have become more popular, however, it is always a great advantage to meet in person. Exchanging idea is one of the benefits, and seeing the actual project site, instrumentation and activities are the other example. Through the day’s program, the project team reconfirmed the meaningfulness of the project. More importantly, the relationship between DSI, the team of South African and Japanese researchers, JICA and other relevant parties was further strengthened.