On November 16, 2021, Assoc. Prof. Dr.Yodchanan Wongsawat, Vice Dean for Research and International Relations of Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University gave the opening remarks at Virtual International Seminars "Sustainable Waste Management: Waste-to-Energy, Cleaner Technologies and Circular Economy". This seminar has been jointly organized by Mahidol University (Thailand), Chiang Mai University (Thailand), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia), Kyoto University (Japan), University of Granada (Spain), University of Queensland (Australia) and Aalborg University (Denmark).

The seminars consist of two themes on “Waste-to-Energy & Circular Economy” to be presented on 16 November 2021 and “Cleaner Technologies & Circular Economy” to be presented on 23 November 2021. Seven presentations in the 2-day seminars include “Waste-to-Energy in Asia and Thailand” by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Trakarn Prapaspongsa (Mahidol University, Thailand); “Biogas Technologies and Applications in Thailand” by Asst. Prof. Dr.Patiroop Pholchan (Chiang Mai University, Thailand); “Waste-to-Energy under the New European Circular Economy Strategy” by Prof. Dr.Montserrat Zamorano (University of Granada, Spain); “Transitioning to Resource Efficient and Circular Economy” by Dr.Anthony Halog (University of Queensland, Australia); “Household Hazardous Waste and Disaster Waste management in Japan” by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Misuzu Asari (Kyoto University, Japan); “Sustainable E-Waste Management in Malaysia: Present and Future Perspectives” by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Marlia Mohd Hanafiah (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; UKM, Malaysia); and “Circular Economy in Denmark: The island of Bornholm’s vision to be waste free by 2032” by Dr.David Christensen (Aalborg University; and BOFA, Bornholms Affaldsbehandling, Denmark).

The seminars had 552 registrants from Universities, Governmental Agencies and Industry in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India Indonesia, Uganda, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, UK, Spain, and Australia. The aim of seminars is not only to present the current statuses and technologies on sustainable waste management around the world, but also to exchange the knowledge and to encourage future collaboration among speakers and participants in research and education under the areas of sustainable waste management and circular economy as well as other aspects to enhance sustainable development in the future.