Solvay and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate and cooperate on an exchange program that will enhance STEM education and DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).

AIST and Solvay had already agreed to establish a long-term partnership and signed a joint research agreement in January 2019. Since then, several joint research projects have been launched to address long-term global challenges such as resource efficiency and circularity for building a sustainable society.

On top of this, the innovation-leading partners today agreed on an ambitious exchange program that includes internships, training and missions between Europe and Japan for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in Japan, France and Belgium.

Young employees from both institutions will also have the opportunity to be a part of the exchange program, which will provide them with work and cross-cultural experience, and expand the number of next-generation researchers who will lead scientific breakthroughs in the future.

To support the future of the Chemical industry, Solvay has for many years embarked on various initiatives to actively support science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM). In doing so, such actions have been challenged by the lack of diversity of STEM candidates, a global trend also felt in Japan.

“It is a great opportunity for future talents that we are happy to share today,” said Pascal Metivier, Senior Executive Vice President Research Shared Operations of Solvay. “Creating bonds and bridges for science education between continents is indeed a great way to enable a rich diversity of future researchers, needed to take up the challenges of our future society”.

A ceremony was held at the Hotel Okura Tokyo in the presence of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium on the occasion of the Belgian Economic Mission in Japan, where Pascal Metivier and Kazumi Kato, Vice President and Director of the Innovative Human Resources Department of AIST signed their Letter of Intent.