ACRS in my life

Chiwako Fujino ACRS/AARS Secretariat

It is really a deep emotion for me to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Asian Conference on Remote Sensing. I had no chance to join the first ACRS held in Bangkok in 1980, though I did know about it. Therefore it was the first job for me when I worked for the second ACRS which was held in Beijing, China in 1981.

I had started to work at Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo since long years before, (even more than 10 years before the year of the first ACRS, but I don't want to say the year of my start because I am a lady!), but it would not be overmentioned that ACRS made my presence felt. Yes, my life has been always together with the ACRS. I had not many times to go abroad and no chance to work as a secretary of international conference until I joined ACRS. I did not have any cosmopolitan outlook at that time.

I have been engaged in the secretarial works such as call for papers, compilation of abstracts, mailing of acceptance note, editing and printing of the final manuscripts etc. under the direction of Professor Murai for these twenty years. After these works, I had to prepare for the conference including pre-registration, typing of name badges and participant list, hotel reservation and confirmation, and so on. I have been and am only one secretary except several students in Murai Laboratory who helped my secretariat. I take pride in having contributed to the success of ACRS. On the other hand I have to thank that I was given an opportunity to learn a lot about the organization of international conference, the responsibility for secretarial works, English etc. through the ACRSs. I could transfer my secretarial know how to other international conferences, for example ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) Congress held in Kyoto 1988 and ISPRS Commission V Symposium held in Hakodate in 1998. When I looked back at the past 19 ACRSs, I recall wonderful meetings with old friends. It is my great asset to have met many impressive persons. I want to introduce you several my old friends.

Professor Yang Shi-ren, Vice Director, Institute of Remote Sensing Application whom I met in Beijing in 1981 was a heavy smoker. He always kept a cigarette with his yellow colored fingers. He showed himself a strong drinker by repeating "Kampei" (dry up) of "Maotai" liquor. It is my pride that I sang a Japanese song at the Welcome Party of the second ACRS at People's Great Hall.

Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth is an unforgettable person, whom all participants of ACRSs may remember. He speaks Japanese fluently because he learned Japanese when he studied Electric Engineering at Osaka University for five years. He was always kind to me and is my heartfelt friend. On this occasion I would like to congratulate his achievements not only in ACRSs but also his doctoral thesis awarded by University of Tokyo almost ten years ago and his leadership in Thailand.

Mr. Christopher Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka, who passed away two years ago, was a handsome gentleman like a movie star, but he was the Surveyor General, the Survey Department. He served himself as the Chairman of Organizing Committee at the 4th ACRS held in 1983. We should remember his name because he was one of the founders of ACRS. At that time Mr. Sarath Jayatilake was a young man. But Sarath became the Chairman, Organizing Committee of the 18th ACRS in 1996. It seems that person grows together with ACRS.

Mr. Malla, the Conference Director of the 5th ACRS held in Katmandu, Nepal in 1984, was also an impressive person. I was invited to his private house with my colleagues, where we enjoyed singing and dancing. He was an excellent dancer and talent.

Dr. Ayangar, a key secretary of the 6th ACRS held in Hyderabad, India in 1985, was a sharp and capable person. I still remember his present of "sari" when I was invited to his house.

Due to the limitation of papers, I cannot tell about many other friends. We used to meet mostly once a year, but we feel that we know each other since many years ago. This is the ACRS that makes friends.

I believe that this anniversary should not mean the end but a new start for me and ACRS. There would not be anything happier than to use all my energy for the ACRS together with my respectful Professor Murai.

Chiwako Fujino, ACRS/AARS Secretariat