Fukuoka University of Japan has bestowed the title of Visiting Professor to Dr. Zaidul Sarker, Professor and CNMI Food Science Program Leader of Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services (NMC-CREES).
Sarker's appointment as Visiting Professor is part of the Sakura Science Exchange Program administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The program aims to promote scientific and technological exchanges between Japan and other countries, and to foster the next generation of global leaders.
“This is an excellent program to build collaborations among international colleagues,” Sarker said. “It is also a great platform to build relationships with the students and learn about Japanese culture. I visited various laboratories at Fukuoka University and took a facility tour of Kitakyushu Eco Town, as well as the West treatment and water treatment plants in Fukuoka, which were all very interesting.”
During his time as Visiting Professor, Sarker will establish research collaborations between NMC and Fukuoka University, and will work to develop a talented workforce for the USDA from the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the areas of food science and agriculture, and related science, engineering, and technology. He will also give talks to scientists and researchers on zero waste lifestyle, traditional food and nutraceuticals, and ag-related culture.
Sarker has gathered experiences that will help to install the latest ultrasound and enzyme assisted equipment to extract the food and nutraceuticals using these green technology without any organic solvent in the upcoming Food Science laboratory at NMC-CREES.
“Congratulations to Dr. Sarker on this prestigious appointment. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fukuoka University to enhance Food Science in our islands and region,” Interim Dean of NMC-CREES Patty Coleman said.
Sarker will have the opportunity to bring students from the CNMI to Fukuoka University of Japan for a 10-day experiential learning trip in the first two weeks of December 2023 under the NEXT-GEN Program. The purpose of the trip is to provide students with workforce development opportunities in the areas of food science, agriculture, and related science, engineering, and technology (SEAT) for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Students will also have the opportunity to talk with scientists and researchers about zero waste lifestyles, traditional food and herbal medicine, and nutraceuticals. They will also experience ag-related culture.