ITU Expands Partnership with Waseda University, Japan
Geneva, 18 February 2004 /Wi-Fi Technology News/- The International Telecommunication Union and Waseda University of Tokyo, Japan have established a research centre at the ITU-Waseda ICT Centre to support work in the area of radiocommunications, particularly in the fields of radiofrequency spectrum, digital broadcasting, mobile services and regulatory issues.
The ITU-Waseda Radiocommunication Research Centre, will hold workshops on policy, regulation and emerging technology issues in mobile and radio communication for government officials and telecommunication operators from the developing and developed world. The Centre will also conduct a series of research projects. One such project will focus on the use of broadband mobile interactive communication systems in public safety, security and emergency response for situations such as earthquakes and terrorist attacks. The Centre will also launch a research project to develop content and applications for mobile telephony ?beyond 3G? (third generation mobile technologies).
"The ITU-Waseda ICT Centre extends ITU?s commitment to Waseda University, which has provided us with a valuable presence in a region of the world with an international reputation for innovation in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) development," said Mr Valery Timofeev, Director of ITU?s Radiocommunication Bureau.
The establishment of the ITU-Waseda Radiocommunication Research Centre is in fulfilment of a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between ITU and Waseda University in 2001. This agreement has already resulted in the establishment of the ITU-Waseda ICT Human Resource Development Centre in conjunction with ITU?s Telecommunication Development Bureau and the ITU-Waseda ICT Research, Development and Standardization Centre with ITU?s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. "The new centre will provide a global focus for networking among major universities and institutions in research and development for radiocommunication in ICTs," noted Mr Timofeev.
The ITU-Waseda ICT Centre is "an important contribution by Japan to the activities of ITU and will help us to fulfil our University?s commitment to joint research and educational training programmes that bring together academia and international organizations," said Professor Toshio Obi, Acting Director, ITU-Waseda ICT Centre. "This partnership with the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau bolsters our commitment to bringing together industry and research to meet the challenges of developing state-of-the-art information and communication technologies for today?s information society."
For more information about the ITU-Waseda Radiocommunication Research Centre contact:
Mr Michel Giroux
Deputy Director
ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
Tel: +41 22 730 5313
E-mail: michel.giroux@itu.int
Professor Toshio Obi
ITU-Waseda Radiocommunication Research Center
Tel: +81 3 32 03 62 96
E-mail: itucenter@list.waseda.jp
About ITU:
ITU is a world-wide organization which brings governments and industry together to coordinate the establishment and operation of global telecommunication networks and services; it is responsible for standardization, coordination and development of international telecommunications including radiocommunications, as well as the harmonization of national policies.
To fulfil its mission, ITU adopts international regulations and treaties governing all terrestrial and space uses of the frequency spectrum as well as the use of all satellite orbits which serve as a framework for national legislations; it develops standards to foster the interconnection of telecommunication systems on a worldwide scale regardless of the type of technology used; it also fosters the development of telecommunications in developing countries.
ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.
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