University of California President Janet Napolitano's Visit to BEARS
The University of California President Janet Napolitano visited BEARS on Tuesday 18th February 2019. Her visit to BEARS was part of a series of government and university meetings across Asia to expand University of California’s research and education partnerships.
President Napolitano is the 20th President of the University of California, and the first woman to serve in this role. She leads a university system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three affiliated national laboratories, and a state-wide agriculture and natural resources program. The UC system has more than 273,000 students, 223,000 faculty and staff, an operating budget of $36.5 billion, and two million living alumni. President Napolitano has launched an initiative to accelerate the translation of UC research into new businesses and inventions that benefit the public good.
President Napolitano delegation included UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Professor Henry T. Yang, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Brown, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Education Abroad Program Vivian-Lee Nyitray, and Strategic Engagement Manager Corey S. Feinstein.
The BEARS team hosted the delegation at CREATE. The BEARS Investigators on hand for the welcoming program were: Prof. Kameshwar Poolla (UCB), Prof. Sanjib Panda (NUS), Prof. Su Rong (NTU), and Dr. Zuraimi Sultan, SinBerBEST’s Program Director.
The visit began with an overview presentation of both the SinBerRISE and SinBerBEST programs. Project demonstrations and a test bed tour were presented by Mr Edwin Goh, post doctoral scholars Dr Krishnanand, Dr Karunagaran, Dr Mishra, Dr Huynh, Mr Christopher Soyza and research engineer Komang Narendra. Dr Krishnanand presented in energy grid and smart sockets. Dr Karunagaran explained our state-of-the art modular air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems. Edwin Goh presented our daylight emulator and translucent concrete panel and explained its role as a multi-functional façade. Dr Mishra and Huynh explained the use of elevated temperature setpoint and increased air movement technology to significantly reduce energy consumption in tropical buildings, while Mr Komang and Mr Soyza spoke about the use of the compact artificial sky and building in a briefcase project.
President Napolitano praised the research efforts of SinBerBEST as leading to cutting edge technology for future. She foresees great potential in applying SinBerBEST technologies and management of similar synergistic research for UC campuses.
