Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS)

  Last updated on 14 May, 2001      

What is FACS? A Brief History and A Personal Experience

Hitoshi Ohtaki, The President of FACS 1997-1999, Ritsumeikan University

1. The Establishment and the Objectives

The establishment of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies was suggested by the Division of Scientific Education & Research of UNESCO in February, 1978, and was achieved in August 1978 by the chemical societies of Australia, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and Iraq. The eleven societies were defined as the foundation members. The objective of FACS is stated in its Statutes as "to promote the advancement of chemistry and the interest of professional chemists in the Asia-Pacific region in a way which does not detract from the autonomy of any of the member societies". The number of member societies becomes 26 from 26 countries in 1999. It was limited to have only one society in one country at the beginning, but this limitation was removed some years ago. Beside the society members, FACS has individual membership, and now more than 30 individuals joined the FACS.

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