Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
understand different values and obtain a bird's-eye view of the many facets of envi-
ronmental and sustainability issues.
In terms of application in the current job, the ELTP helped by learning differ-
ent approaches to solving environmental problems, and in increasing knowledge
and expertise on energy and resources on the global scale. Furthermore, the broad
knowledge of international affairs and legal frameworks is expected to be useful in
working abroad in the future. The importance of human relationships was also ap-
preciated through encounters with students from different backgrounds, nationali-
ties, cultures, ages and positions. Moreover, not only were English skills improved
but also the ability to act in the wider international context. Such experiences helped
in facilitating cooperation with others.
Finally, this student expresses his ultimate goal as to solve global environmental
problems, along with building a sustainable society. He learned in the ELTP that it
was difficult to ensure a good balance among environmental, social, and economic
pressures for building a sustainable society, because it relates to factors such as
politics, economics, history, lifestyle, ecosystems and so on. However, he would
like to continue to work on this complex challenge, taking full advantage of much
valuable experience from the ELTP.
Case D involves an ELTP graduate who is now working on evaluating the po-
tential for biomass energy in tropical countries such as Indonesia, with the aim of
supporting low-carbon sustainable development. He notes the value of the Interna-
tional Environmental Leader Symposium he attended in Indonesia. This revealed
the challenges in developing countries, the value of seeing first-hand the linkages
between environment and culture, and insights obtained from cultural exchange
with international students. He cites the ELTP as having provided an international
and global perspective on environmental problems, which stimulated his inter-
est in the environment, and this also allowed him to demonstrate an international
perspective at the job interview. The ELTP also helped engineering and science
researchers become aware of social sciences such as economics in thinking about
environmental issues.
The ELTP added value to his basic research at Tohoku University into waste-
water treatment and explained why especially in Asia, Africa and other developing
regions, development of energy, resources and use of water creates a difficult bal-
ancing act between economic development as a primary goal and the preservation
of the environment. In addition, the ELTP helped develop personal skills and to
acquire the confidence to express opinions and ideas, and to communicate with
others. The relationships formed in the ELTP with others could also help expand
knowledge and contacts to other areas of environmental expertise.
Case E followed graduation from the ELTP by obtaining a temporary position
as Assistant Professor at Tohoku University teaching on wastewater/waste man-
agement, and conducting research in bio-hydrogen fermentation from wastewater/
waste resources. His teaching role builds on some of the cross-disciplinary perspec-
tives obtained in the ELTP- for instance the relationship between the concepts of
sustainability practice and community in areas of water quality surveillance and
monitoring, water supply and pollution control technology, environmental impact
