DHAHRAN — The two-day 22nd annual Saudi-Japan Symposium – a venue for intellectual exchange of opinions on catalysis science among experts and young people in this field – opened Sunday at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) against a backdrop of greater cooperation. In Saudi Arabia and worldwide, catalysis continues to play a key role in the development of technologies that lower energy consumption and in the synthesis of environmentally friendly fuels and high-performance materials. Catalysis promotes sustainability, environment, energy, health and quality of life. Dr. Khaled Al-Sultan, Rector of KFUPM, said in his opening remarks, that “KFUPM is fully committed to research that has a broad and transformational impact on the community. The University has created an infrastructure that brings together faculty, scientists and students with engineers and scientists from industry to work on key technical advancements. This academic year is a momentous one because we are celebrating a unique milestone, the golden jubilee of KFUPM. Since its establishment before half a century, KFUPM has made impact locally and internationally due to the many accomplishments of our distinguished faculty and outstanding students. You may have noticed that the campus has changed, the programs have changed and the people have changed, but at its core, it is that enduring commitment to excellence that drives us forward every day.” For his part, Dr. Takao Masuda, professor, Hokkaido University Head of Japanese delegation, The Japan Petroleum Institute (JPI), said the symposium has been playing an important role to promote the research cooperation by exchanging information and opinions on the current developments in science and technology related to the catalysts for petroleum refining and petrochemicals. “I believe that it has also provided a good opportunity to establish closer friendship and relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan through direct conversation and collaboration.” “We have 22 presentations on advanced catalysts, processes and technology for two days. These formal presentations and informal discussions and meetings among the participants during the period will surely contribute for the better understanding and solution to the imminent problems of global environmental issues and energy conservation,” he noted. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director, Japan Corporation Center, Petroleum (JCCP), said ever since its foundation in 1981, the Kingdom is one of the focal points and JCCP has been conducting a number of cooperation programs and training programs for the Saudi people, adding that the symposium has been contributing in advanced studies and technology transfer since then. Yasunari Morino, Charge d'Affaires, Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said historically, Japan and Saudi Arabia have long been bound by the strong ties of cooperation in the energy field. Japan depends on Saudi Arabia for about 30 percent of its oil import and “we highly appreciate the enormous contribution of the Kingdom to the world oil market stability.” While Saudi Arabia remains to be Japan's primary energy supplier, he noted that “the relations between the Kingdom and Japan are developing beyond the traditional energy importer-exporter relation to a mutually beneficial partnership developing and enjoying the state-of-the art energy-related technologies together.” — SG/QJM
