40th years anniversary JICA Volunteer Program in Thailand - Sharing for the best and Growing Together -

[With regards to the 40th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Thailand]

Name: Yuji YOSHIMURA (Senior Volunteer)
Group of dispatch: 2016-3
Assignment term: 10 Jan 2017 - 9 Oct 2019
Assignment place: National Metal and Materials Technology Center Patumthani (MTEC)
Field: Chemistry and Applied Chemistry

Title: Support for Cooperation between Japan-Thailand in Science and Technology

I participated in the Japan-Thailand Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) from 2010-2016, and I had a chance to participate in the National Metal and Materials Technology Center Patumthani (MTEC), which became an organization under the project as Senior Volunteer (SV) after that period. My activities were to participate in many projects in terms of realization of New Biodiesel (H-FAME), which is one of the outcomes of the SATREPS and human resource development for young researchers with the organization. Because of a familiar environment with my old colleagues at MTEC, I could work smoothly during my assignment.

Regarding H-FAME, we participated in the B10 project of the Thai Government, and our results contributed to a revision of standards of biodiesel quality in Thailand. However, it is difficult for current pickup trucks (EURO4 specifications) to demonstrate high-quality features of H-FAME, and H-FAME has not yet been put into practical use. Regarding human resources development, we provided guidance on writing papers for MTEC researchers and graduate students, and conducted doctoral degree examinations and so on. Everyone was excellent. I also participated in JICA's third-country training and was able to interact with people in ASEAN regarding biofuels.

During this time, my counterpart, Dr. Nuwong, gave me very good support every day regardless of daytime or nighttime. In addition, volunteer members in the same group of dispatch also exchanged views on many issues. I also would like to thank all the members of the JICA Thailand office for supporting me including during my SV activities and others as well. I am deeply grateful.

I hope that Thailand will continue to play an active role as a base for transmitting information related to science and technology in ASEAN. Even though a little power, I do continue my activities after the SV period and support science and technology cooperation between Thailand and Japan, Thailand and ASEAN, etc. at MTEC (current name is ENTEC).

At the B10^[1] Project Public Seminar sponsored by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (DEDE) of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand @NSTDA (2019)

New biodiesel (H-FAME) poster presentation with Dr. Nuwong, the counterpart (2019)

Impression on JICA volunteer

Message for 40th Anniversary of JICA Volunteers in Thailand

Name and affiliation: Dr. Nuwong CHOLLACOOP, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Team Leader, National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)

Subtitle of my message: 17 Years of Friendship beyond Collaboration

Since my first introduction to Dr. Yuji Yoshimura of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) during Japan-Thailand Collaboration Workshop in Bangkok during 24-25 November 2004, it was not just another workshop but a life-changing moment in my life. With his kind mentorship, I have been trained for both academic work on biodiesel and Japanese-style work principle, which has resulted in series of collaborative projects with Japanese partners including New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), New Energy Foundation (NEF), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and especially Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) project, "Innovation on production and automotive utilization of biofuels from non-food biomass" during 2010-2015. This 5-year project has resulted an innovative biodiesel upgrading technology, which led to national project under Energy Conservation Promotion Fund on increasing biodiesel blending during 2016-2019, with NSTDA request for Dr. Yoshimura as JICA Senior Volunteer during 10 January 2017 and 9 October 2019. During his JICA senior volunteer term, Dr. Yoshimura had an opportunity to receive Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and His Excellency Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador of Japan in Thailand in 2017. His contribution has national impact on revision of national biodiesel standard on 15 May 2019 for blending limit increase from 7 to 10%, which later led to B10 as default diesel grade on 1 October 2020.

Throughout 17 years of our collaboration, Dr. Yoshimura has become a member of my family, where we often travelled for work and leisure together. I personally learn many wisdoms from his work principle, as well as other cultural aspect to enrich our friendship. With this 40th Anniversary occasion of JICA Volunteers in Thailand, I would express my heartfelt gratitude for Government of Japan for this wonderful program throughout the past 40 years and look forward to see stronger Japan-Thailand partnership in many years to come.

During the early collaboration through NEDO project on 20 January 2009

Progress report of JST-JICA project on biodiesel to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 29 March 2017

Receiving a visit by His Excellency Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador of Japan in Thailand on 3 July 2017