CWAJ月例会はすべて英語で執り行われます。あらかじめご了承のほどお願いいたします。
Date: Wednesday, May 13
Format: Hybrid / In-person luncheon for members and invited guests, and via Zoom for members and their guests or non-members wishing to participate online
Time: In Person 11:30 to 14:00 (JST) – Doors open at 11:00 Via Zoom 11:30 to 12:40 (JST)
Fee: ¥7,000 for in-person/¥8,000 for in-person non-members, ¥1,000 for online
RSVP: In-person by 6 May Refund request deadline is also 6 May Online by 11 May Once paid, no refunds for Zoom attendees
Venue: Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan 3-2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005 Fifth floor of Marunouchi Nijubashi Building
Guest Speaker: Dr. Saule Zholdayakova / 2017 NJG Scholar *Will log on via Zoom from Kazakhstan
Presentation Title: “The Power of Opportunity: How Education Abroad Shaped My Career in Hydrogen Energy”
Registration link: https://cw3saoj.wildapricot.org/event-6640441
**Members are welcome to register their guests and non-members can sign up for the online presentation and indicate who introduced them to CWAJ.
Profile
Saule Zholdayakova is a Doctor of Engineering and an internationally recognized expert in hydrogen energy, specializing in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies. She currently serves as Acting Head of the Department of Alternative Energy and Head of the Hydrogen Technology Research Laboratory at KMG Engineering LLP (subsidiary of National Oil and Gas company KazMunayGas ) in Kazakhstan, where she leads strategic initiatives on low-carbon development and hydrogen implementation.
Saule completed her full academic path in Japan at Tokai University, earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in engineering with a focus on hydrogen energy systems and advanced materials. During her studies, she conducted research in hydrogen technologies and gained international experience through collaborations and internships with leading companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Panasonic. She is a recipient of prestigious international scholarships, including the Bolashak Kazakhstani governmental scholarship program and the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, the College Women’s Association of Japan and Kokudoikueikai scholarship program.
Her professional work focuses on advancing hydrogen technologies in Kazakhstan, including the development of metal hydride materials for safe hydrogen storage, implementation of the first pilot green hydrogen system projects, and contribution to national strategies for decarbonization. Under her leadership, one of the first hydrogen competence centers in Central Asia was established, supporting research, industry collaboration, and capacity building.
Saule is actively involved in international cooperation and has contributed to projects and discussions with organizations such as UNIDO, GIZ, OSCE and other global partners. She is also passionate about education, mentoring young professionals, and promoting the role of women in STEM and clean energy sectors.
Currently, Saule balances her professional work with motherhood and is raising her young child, which has further strengthened her commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future through clean energy solutions.
Dates for 2026 General Meetings:
June 10 – Zoom Meeting
September 16 – Hybrid/Print Show kick-off luncheon
October 21 – Zoom Meeting
November 11 – Zoom Meeting
December 2 – Hybrid/Year End holiday luncheon
General Meeting Team
Director: Shigeko Nagaoka
Program Coordinators: Monami Mogi andf Ruth McCreery
Meeting Managers: Joan Rodgers Doi and Rina Jiang
Zoom and WA Technical Support: Rina Jiang
Contact: generalmeetingmanagers@cwaj.org