Keynote Speakers

 

 

Prof. Puthenkalam John Joseph, Sophia University, Japan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography:  John Joseph Puthenkalam, Ph.D., is a Professor of Economics, at the Faculty of Economics, & Professor, at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. He serves as a Board Member of the Sophia School Corporation since 2016 to present. He was also Academic Dean of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies: 2015-2017. After obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, Philosophy and Theology in India and Japan, he continued his studies and obtained Ph.D. in Economics, from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom in 1996. He was awarded First Class and First Rank in M.A. (1984). He also won The Straniak Foundation Philosophy Prize, Switzerland, 1993 and in 1998. He was granted a Senior Fellowship, at the University of Bonn, Germany, 2001. His published books include, "The Collision of Cultures? Dialogue Between Globalization and Cultural Identity", Academia Verlag, Germany, 200l. “Dialogue Among Civilizations: Zukunftiges Menchsein : Ethik zwischen Ost und West Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft Baden-Baden, Germany, 2003,(Edited Volume). “Economic Growth, Democracy and Human Development”, Claretian Publications, Bangalore, 2016. “Global Development Analysis: Developing Countries, Millennium Development Goals & Sustainable Development Goals”, Sophia University, Tokyo, 2020. Terra Thrive: Achieving SDG 15: Life on Land for Future Generations, Springer Nature Switzerland, 2025　(to be published)

(N.B. For More details about his Books, academic presentations, and Journal articles etc.,
Please refer my Home Page: https://pweb.cc.sophia.ac.jp/j-puthen/)
He serves as the Project Leader for the 17 SDGs Book series a collaborative research work between Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo, and Christ University, Bangalore, India.

 

 

Prof. Woongchul Choi, Kookmin University, Korea

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography:  Woongchul Choi is a Professor of Automotive Engineering at Kookmin University. He received his Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from Seoul National University in 1987 and earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. degree both from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1989 and 1995 respectively. He started his professional career as a founding member of a small high tech venture company specializing in the development of stereoscopic image based flow field measurement system and successfully carried out many research projects with major automotive OEMs. His research interest includes vision based 3-D velocimetry, modeling of advanced vehicles for energy analysis, system integration of advanced vehicles for proof-of-concept, thermal management of energy storage systems, bidirectional interaction between vehicles and electric power grid, strategic placement and operation of charging infra-structure and eco-friendly smart city energy analysis. He has been heavily involved in the development of undergraduate and graduate curricula (BK21+, CK II) through government projects as a department chair. Also, he has carried out various government sponsored and private sector (Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Hyundai Motors, SK) sponsored projects including the development of battery swappable electric bus as a public transportation system, battery pack thermal management system, strategy development of charging infrastructure and more. Recently, he is actively monitoring the charging behavior of electric vehicle owners in Jeju island, Korea to establish the strategy for smart placement of heavily loaded charging infrastructure called EV Charging Theme Park. Lastly, but not the least, his recent research interest includes characterization of battery cells, diagnostics and performance evaluation of battery cells and modules, development of super-fast charging algorithm with little damage to battery cells, and more on the development of early detection algorithm for faulty cells inside battery modules and packs for safer EV battery pack management. He writes articles to promote the better understanding of EV, charging infrastructures, battery technologies and future mobilities for energy independent smart cities.

 

 

Dr. Nguyen Phuong Nam, Founder and CEO of KLINOVA Climate Innovation Consulting & Services

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography: Dr. Nguyen Phuong Nam achieved his PhD Degree about Waste2Energy at Bonn University, Germany in 2012 and now is a leading international advisor on Climate Change, Carbon Credits, ESG, and Sustainable Development, boasting over 20 years of experience working with development partners such as UNDP, UNEP, ADB, GIZ, WB, and JICA, as well as many governmental agencies. From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Nam supported the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) in the role of City Adviser for the Hanoi city government.
Since 2021, Dr. Nam has served as the Founder and CEO of KLINOVA Climate Innovation Consulting & Services.
Since 2017, he has served as the UNFCCC Reviewer for national climate change reports. Furthermore, starting in 2024, he was invited to serve as an Advisor to Southeast Asian Capital Markets on Corporate Sustainability Reporting Standards. In addition, Dr. Nam is the Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association (HGBA).