Source: School of Environmental Science and Technology
Written by: Fang Jingyun
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On the morning of December 4, 2015, the International Masters Frontier Forum at Sun Yat-Sen University, organized by the Office of International Cooperation & Exchange and School of Environmental Science and Technology, was held in the Environment Building on East Campus. Dr. Arup K. SenGupta, National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow and P.C. Rossin Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University, gave a lecture entitled “Water as an Engine for Economic Growth: Role of Science, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Policy”.
 

Prof. Arup K. SenGupta gives a lecture at Sun Yat-Sen University.
 

During the one hour lecture, Prof. SenGupta introduced the role of science, innovation, entrepreneurship and policy on solving the drinking water-safe problems worldwide. He introduced the research achievements during 20 years by his team, including the critical technologies and equipment for removal of fluorine and arsenic during drinking water treatments, interaction with social enterprises and the application of micro-finance. Their finding is that innovative technology alone cannot resolve such a crisis. Synergy through social entrepreneurship and creative micro-financing at the water interface holds the key to success. Employment generation through economic growth is the single most important factor to sustain safe water supply to resource-poor people around the world. Several cases were presented where the complementary relationship between science, innovation and a meaningful business model made a difference.

The audience discussed and asked questions actively, having a better understanding of the application of emerging arsenic removal technologies.

Prof. SenGupta is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Water Works Association, the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, and the Water Environment Federation. He is an expert in ion exchange techniques and arsenic removal treatments and the founder of the Donnan Membrane Principle, contributing a lot to the field of drinking water safe technologies. His innovations in environmental engineering and collaborative work with university researchers and local engineers in developing nations have been recognized with a multiplicity of awards, including the 2001 Frontier Research Award from the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP); the International Ion Exchange Award from Cambridge University; the Grainger Silver Award from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE); the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) Sustainability Award; the Dhirubhai Ambani Award from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK); the Astellas USA Foundation Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS); and the Lawrence K. Cecil Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Apart from these awards, his arsenic removal technologies have been applied in Kenya and India, saving the problems of arsenic contamination in drinking water for poor areas.