The Role of FENDT - Prospect and Retrospect -

Being latecomers to the industrialization, Pacific rim countries except the U.S.A. are doing very little in developing the universal certification system. One should note that Asian Pacific region enjoys the highest economic growth rate, and there is a good possibility that it will be the center of economic activities of the world in the next century. It appears that ISO and CEN share similar specifications in numerous areas. ASNT is being changed to cope with the trend with the introduction of ACCP. Although we may have to adopt the new system someday, we should pay attention and make concerted effort to include our own practice in the global standards. We are the countries in the Far East Region with similar culture and tradition, which are quite different from those of western countries. We hope that Japan should play an important role in this matter, who has been chaired the ISO TC135 since 1993. In the beginning of this decade, there has been a trivial but troublesome matter that who is representing the NDT Society or member countries in Asia-Pacific Conference on NDT. The problem appears to be solved since the establishment of FENDT For the next decade, actually next centry, FENDT will have to accomplish another important role for countries in the Far East Region to form a strong coalition for its survival in the western dominant world. Immediate issue is to establish Far East Working Group for Harmonization and Mutual Recognition of Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel. To realize this Japan must play a leading role with the cooperation of expanded FENDT member countries including China and Russia. As the continued prosperity expected in this region, FENDT should continue its role for the next centry. We, the FENDT countries, must move forward for internationalization(國際化). However' we must realize that it all start from SELF IDENTI-FICATION. We can identify ourselves by actively participating in FENDT. I would like remind you the concluding remark that I have made in the congratulatory speech at JSNDI 40th Anniversary Conference and FENDT'92. JSNDI is too precious to be Japan's sole possession Staling from the Far East, JSNDI shall become one of the loaders of the world. I sincerely hope that JSNDI take initiatives and leaderships in the future activities. of FENDT countries. I would like to close my talk with "We must hang together, or We shall be hang seperately." Garn Sa Ham Ni Da.