Tailored Professional Tribute
Norihito Tambo
Distinguished Departed Pioneer
Professional background
Norihito Tambo (1933-2023) was a leading pioneer of water science and technology in Japan and a top global figure in water supply and sanitation. He started his career at Hokkaido University as a Lecturer (1957). He received his Doctorate of Engineering in 1965 and was appointed Full Professor in 1968.
Professor Tambo and his group at Hokkaido University made outstanding contributions on particle separation in water system design and water quality benchmarking. He contributed to over 200 publications and was formally credited for a seminal article in Water Research related to Particle Separation and Treatment Processes.
He served as President of Japan Society of Civil Engineers. He also served in educating Asian water engineers through support for JICA training programs in Indonesia (1973-1975) and Asian Institute of Technology (1979). In 1995, Norihito Tambo refocused his primary attention to university administration and became the 15th President of Hokkaido University (1995-2001) and then as the 5th President of the Open University of Japan (2001-2007).
Major Contributions to IWA
Norihito Tambo contributed scientifically to both IWSA and IAWQ from the mid-1970’s through 2000 and one of the founders of the influential Particle Separation Group.
As Vice-President of IWSA in 1997, he was a key figure in the merger process of IWSA and IAWQ. He served as IWA’s first President from 2001 through mid-2003. His skills, leadership and commitment as President was essential to the successful and decisive first IWA years.
As President, Norihito Tambo skilfully orchestrated the creation of ASPIRE through the merger of IWSA’s and IAWQ’s East Asia regional groups and conference series. Norihito Tambo will be fondly remembered as one of IWA’s great leaders, a man of generous spirit alongside great achievements and a true mentor to all of those around him.
Author: Yoshimasa Watanabe
Contributors: Hallvard Odegaard, X Wang, Paul D Reiter
