From 10 to 11 March, UNU Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala and UNU-IAS Director Dr. Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi traveled to Aichi, Nara and Mie Prefectures in Japan.
Prof. Marwala began his tour at the Toyohashi University of Technology, in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, where he visited the Institute for Research on Next-generation Semiconductor and Sensing Science, engaged in dialogue with university students, and met with President Akihiro Wakahara and his team.
In Nara, Prof. Marwala visited Todaiji Temple, where he met with one of their representatives, Mr. Tsutui, to exchange views on efforts towards achieving a sustainable society. They were joined by Dr. Sakaki, Chair of the Board of Directors of Nara National Institute of Higher Education and Research, and Prof. Kato, Advisor to Nara University of Education, a member university of the UNU SDG-Universities Platform, established by UNU-IAS. At Todaiji Temple, Prof. Marwala also witnessed the annual Shuni-e (Omizutori) Ceremony.
On 11 March, Prof. Marwala continued on to Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, where he visited the Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Museum for Future Awareness. At the museum, he met with Mr. Tomohiro Mori, Mayor of Yokkaichi City, and was briefed on the history of Yokkaichi pollution and the anti-pollution measures taken to promote sustainable development of the city.
During his visit, Prof. Marwala also gave a lecture on the topic of UNU and the Sustainable Development Goals to local government officials who oversee environmental issues for Mie Prefecture and Yokkaichi City, as well as researchers from the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer.
This visit received coverage on NHK and You Yokkaichi (in Japanese).
Since arriving at UNU in March 2023, Prof. Marwala has made it his mission to travel to, and deliver lectures in, all 47 prefectures of Japan. Upon completing this recent trip, Prof. Marwala has traveled to 16 prefectures and presented 20 lectures.
