This workshop brought together approximately ten PhD alumni who completed their doctoral studies and have since built careers across academia, industry, and international research organizations in Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Although their current research topics range widely, from aerosol science, nanomaterials, electrochemical engineering, biotechnology, DNA separation, circular economy, food processing, and environmental sustainability, the workshop revealed a common foundation:

The doctoral research topic itself did not define their careers.

The ability to learn, adapt, and enter new problems did.

Many speakers now work in fields that differ substantially from their original PhD topics. Some have become professors, department heads, laboratory directors, or leaders of international programs. Others have translated research into industrial technologies, environmental applications, and educational initiatives.

The workshop therefore served not only as a scientific meeting but also as an opportunity to reflect on a broader question:

What is the long-term value of doctoral education?

From the perspective of EMPAT Lab, the answer extends beyond publications and citations. Graduate education should help students develop:

• the ability to formulate questions,
• confidence in entering unfamiliar fields,
• interdisciplinary thinking,
• international perspectives,
• and the capability to create new opportunities for others.

The diversity of the speakers’ careers demonstrates that research training is not merely preparation for a specific technical field. Rather, it serves as a foundation for leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning.

A Reflection for Current Students

Looking across the invited speakers, one observation becomes clear.

Most of them are no longer working on exactly the same themes as their doctoral dissertations. Yet the methods they learned, the questions they learned to ask, and the independence they developed during graduate school continue to guide their careers.

Research topics may change.

The ability to tackle unknown problems remains.

This gathering of alumni reminded us that the most significant outcome of doctoral education may not be a thesis itself, but the person that the student becomes ten or twenty years later.

Website: https://iwpmt2024.wixsite.com/iwpmt/ 25 Nov. 2024, 10:00-17:30

Venue: BASE building (2F), Koganei campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Viewers can register and then join online (Zoom style). We plan to make a limited public recording.

Most of the (invited) speakers are TUAT-PhD-Alumni from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan.

10:00-10:15 Opening Prof. Wuled Lenggoro (TUAT) “Engineering Tips from Agriculture Studies: Balancing Risk & Innovation”

10:15 -10:55 Invited 1: Prof Dr I Made Joni (Physics, Univ. Padjadjaran, Head of Finder) Powder Technology for Bioresources Utilization and E-waste Processing in the Perspective of Circular Economy 循環経済の観点からのバイオ資源利用と電子廃棄物処理のための粉末技術 (HU Alumni)

11:00 -11:20 Invited 2: Prof Dr Camellia Panatarani (Head of Dept. of Physics, Univ. Padjadjaran) Magnetic Beads for DNA Separation: Advances in Surface Functionalization and Applications DNA分離のための磁気ビーズ表面官能化の進展および応用 (HU Alumni)

11:20 – 11:40
Invited 3: Ts Dr Khairunnisa Mohd Paad (Univ. Teknologi Malaysia) Soot as an Electrocatalyst Support for Enhanced Ethanol Oxidation in Fuel Cells 燃料電池におけるエタノール酸化促進のための電極触媒担体としてのすす (TUAT Alumni)

11:40 -12:00 Invited 4 (Online): Assoc Prof Dr Eng. Ir. Pramujo Widiatmoko (Head of Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Inst. Teknologi Bandung ITB, Indonesia) Biomass-based Carbon in Electrochemical Engineering Applications (online) 電気化学工学応用におけるバイオマス系炭素系材料 (TUAT Alumni)

12:15 -14:00 Lab Visit (for physical participants only) and Lunch.

14:00 – 14:20 Invited 5 (in-person): Assoc Prof Dr Gen Masao (Dept. of Applied Chemistry, Chuo Univ.) Single Particle Studies of Deliquesced Aerosols: Multiphase Reactions and Surface Tension 液化するエアロゾルの単一粒子の研究:多相反応と表面張力 (TUAT Alumni)

14:20 – 14:40 Invited 6 (Online): Assoc Prof Ir Dr Noor Fitrah Abu Bakar (School of Chemical Engineering, Univ. Tek. MARA) Sustainable Nanomaterial Design and Applications (online) 持続可能なナノ材料設計と応用 (TUAT Alumni)

14:40 -15:00 Invited 7 (Online): Dr Suryani Saallah (Biotechnology Centre, Univ. Malaysia Sabah) Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Seaweed: Insights into Their Properties and Antimicrobial Activity (online) 海藻を用いた銀ナノ粒子の環境に優しい合成:その特性および抗菌活性への考察 (TUAT Alumni)

15:00 – 15:20 Invited 8 (Online): Dr. Eng. Kusdianto (Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Inst. Tek. Sepuluh Nopember, ITS, Indonesia) Fabrication of nanocomposite materials prepared by gas-phase methods for photocatalytic applications (online) 光触媒応用のための気相法により調製したナノ複合材料 (TUAT Alumni)

15:20 -15:40 Invited 9 (Online): Assoc Prof Dr M. Nazli Naim (Food and Processing Engineering, Univ. Putra Malaysia) The Role of Heat Transfer in Food Processing Towards a Healthier Lifestyle and Cancer-free Food Consumption (online) より健康的なライフスタイルと癌のない食品消費に向けた食品加工における熱伝達の役割 (TUAT Alumni)

15:40 -16:00 Invited 10 (Online): Assoc Prof Dr Ferry Faizal (Dept. of Physics, Univ. Padjadjaran, Indonesia) Potential Application of Blue Titania Fine-Powder as Ethylene Scavenger and CO2 detector (online)　エチレン捕捉剤およびCO2検出器としてのブルーチタニア微粉末の潜在的応用 (TUAT Alumni)

16:10 – 16:20 Break

16:20 – 16:30 Closing Remarks by IWPMT 2024 General Chairman/Prof. Wuled Lenggoro.

16:30 – 17:30 Special Session (Flash talk):

1. Prof Dr Wawan Hermawan (UnPad) – Nano-Based Antifeedant : Tithonia diversifolia Leaf Extract Nanosuspension for Controling Cabbage Pest Insect Crocidolomia pavonana Larvae
2. Prof Dr Ir. Lovita Adriani (UnPad) – Protease and Lipase Enzyme Activity of Probiotic Yogurt and its Effect on Protein and Lipid Level of Chicken Egg Yolk
3. Dr Renny Febrida (UnPad) – Facile Synthesis of Vaterite Fine Powder CaCO3 from Padalarang Natural Limestone with HCl-Assisted Fine-Bubble Carbonation
4. Dr Melanie (UnPad) – Botanical Biopesticides and Silica Nanoparticles: A Nano-Based Approach to Advanced Pest ControL
5. Dr Ujang Subhan (UnPad) – Enhancing Striped Catfish Breeding in RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) Using Ultrafine Bubble Technology
6. Dr Anca Awal Sembada (School of Life Science & Technology, Inst. Teknologi Bandung ITB) – Quantitative Ecophysiology of Plants: Transport Phenomena (online) 植物の定量的生態生理学: 輸送現象 (TUAT Alumni)
7. Mr Tri Yudianto (UnPad) – Rethinking Commercialization: Integrating Innovation Readiness Levels Beyond TRL (Technology Readiness Level)
8. Mr. Willy Dawson Liusan (CEO, BAIYO) – Next Generation Bioplastics
9. Dr. Tiara Nur Pratiwi (TUAT Alumni) (now a MEMS engineer, Santec Holdings and Univ. Tokyo)
10. Dr. Naoya Hama (TUAT Alumni) (now with Tokyo Electron) joined only at a dinner

The schedule is subject to change due to coordination between in-person and online formats.