Mitsubishi Chair in Green Technology was established by Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan, in July 2009. This was the third sponsored endowed Professor Chair position in UTP after Shell and Schlumburger endowed Professor Chairs. Prof Dr. Yoshimitsu Uemura, a specialist og catalytic reaction engineering and biomass conversion in Japan, was appointed as he Professor Chair. This Chair position was maintained for seven successive years, commencing from July 2009 to June 2016. In coherent and commnesurate with this Professor Chair position, Mitsubishi Corporation has provided a whopping financial support of RM11,412K in total. Now, let me share with you on the contibutuon of Prof Eumura.

During his appontment as Mitsubishi Chair he has achieved many outcomes in research and academically with his colleagues and students in UTP. The first task he achieved is the establishment of a biomass research center in April 2010, known as Center and Biochemical Research (CBBR). Through the dedication of CBBR, their rapid growth resulted in the Center application for HICoE in 2016 just after HICoE approval of CISIR by Ministry. The second achievement of Mitsubishi Chair is the creation of a research journal dedicated to biomass and renewables, International Journal of Biomass and Renewables (IJBR) in 2012, just after approval from MC in Dec 2011. Since then, Prof Uemura as the Editor-in-Chief had published six volumes from 2012 to 2017, and now finalizing the first issue of Volume 7. It has been cited by MyJurnal (the Malaysian Journal Citation website) and is now poised to apply to Scopus index status. His tenacity in maintaining IJBR is exemplary of his effort as a researcher as well as a research manager.

Apart from there initial creations, he has performed countless achievements for publications, grants, networkings and so forth together with the Center members including the graduate students. This has led CBBR to almost achieving the national HICoE level. When Mitsubishi discontinued this Chair after June 2016, Prof Uemura decided to continue at UTP as our Professor. On or about two months ago, he personally informed me of his decision to go back to his country sometime middle of this year. Although I truly understand that home is where the heart belongs, with regret I have to accept his decision and have discusses with him on my way forward. As a true Japanese professional, Prof Uemura had provided his game plan even before I could ask for it. Prof Uemura indicated to me of his interest to see the continuity if all the great legacies left behind through our association with Mitsubishi endowed chair. I think, at the very least, we owe him a farewell party in due course.

In short, through the great support of Mitsubishi Corporation, UTP has seen a great leap in Green tTechnology area as described above. You may recall that GT MOR was awarded as the best MOR, and CBBR as the Center recently. This legacy is taken over by the Institute of Sustainable Living. In his own word, Prof Uemura has expressed his regret that although the HICoE application in 2016 was not successful, he had not given up as yet. He has prepared his team in April 2018 with higher internal audit scores. Prof Uemura is even kind enough to source for Professor from Japan to be attached with UTP. A fine gentleman, you can ask any colleagues or heads, Prof Uemura has a outstanding record of working in a team. As a leader, the support given by Prof Uemura is something which all of us can learn from an emulate. In conclusion, somehow this does not surprise me at all. Look at aftermath of Fukushima and how discipline the Japanese citizens were in ensuring orderly behaviors. Last but not least, my tribute to Prof Uemura. We will miss you.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation