The 27th KAIST-KU-NTU-NUS (KKNN) Symposium on Environmental Engineering (organized by the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, co-organized by the Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering) was held at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall.

The symposium aimed to exchange the latest information on environmental engineering among four top institutions in Asia; Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Kyoto University (KU), National Taiwan University (NTU), and National University of Singapore (NUS). The symposium has been held annually in either of the four institutions, and in this year, Kyoto University organized it with 111 participants including 12 to 15 from each overseas institutions. The symposium also intends to train young students by experiencing an international conference and forming human networks.

The symposium started with an opening speech by Prof. Shigeo Fujii in the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. 20 oral presentations in four sessions and 33 hybrid presentations (short oral presentation + poster display) in two sessions delivered the latest research information on water issues, global warming, water and wastewater treatment and waste management, activating big discussions. In the evening of the first day, the reception was held with a congratulatory greeting by Prof. Masao Kitano, Executive Vice-President of Kyoto University, at a café restaurant, Camphora, and participants enjoyed dinner, exchange research ideas, and promoted friendship. On the second day, oral presentations were held in the morning, and then, participants had a tour at research facilities of Kyoto University to understand the latest environmental quality analysis and treatment technology. Thereafter, a gala dinner was held, where the summary of this symposium was provided, and the oral and poster presentation award ceremony were conducted. In the end of the symposium, participants promised to meet again in Taiwan, where the next symposium will be held.

A group photo in KKNN symposium (5th July)

Active discussions in front of a poster

Reception in Camphora