2016

Signing Ceremony for Inter-University Exchange Agreement with Vietnam-Japan University

On Thursday, November 24, 2016, the President of Vietnam-Japan University visited Osaka University for a signing ceremony for an inter-university exchange agreement between the two universities.

Vietnam-Japan University (VJU) was established by the governments of Japan and Vietnam and with the support of both economies with the goal of becoming a new Center of Excellence (COE) in Vietnam that aims for top-level international academia, and providing practical human resources to strengthen the industrialization in Vietnam, including Japanese corporations in Vietnam. It is greatly hoped that VJU will serve as a university that will provide Vietnam with 1) interdisciplinary education, 2) education through research, 3) an emphasis on liberal arts, 4) promotion of independent activity of students, and 5) industry-university collaboration, aspects previously unseen in Vietnam.

Of the 6 programs established at VJU, Osaka University will primarily be engaged with the formation of the Nanotechnology Program, with the aim of developing researchers that will undertake advanced research in the future, as well as technicians that will lead the way to revolutionary technology.

7 individuals from Osaka University, including President Nishio, Executive Vice President Yamanaka, and Executive Vice President Yagi, and 9 individuals from VJU, including President Furuta and Vice President Nguyen Hoang Oanh, were in attendance for the signing. There was a pleasant atmosphere at the signing ceremony, and it allowed both universities to reaffirm the importance of collaboration. It is expected that this agreement will serve as an impetus for the promotion of mutual exchange in education and research between the two universities.

A handshake between President Nishio and President Furuta, agreement in hand

A discussion between the two universities

A group photo

The 22nd Annual General Meeting of Association of East Asian Research Universities (AEARU)

On Saturday, October 15th, 2016, Associate Executive Director Dr. KONDOH Katsuyoshi and faculty and staff from the International Affairs Division attended AEARU's 22nd annual general meeting and in conjunction with the 39th Board of Directors Meeting held by Seoul National University, Korea. A total of 49 staff members, including 6 presidents from AEARU member universities and 2 guests from THE World University Rankings, were in attendance.

At the board meeting, Dr. KONDOH expressed the desire to hold the AEARU Advanced Materials Science Workshop at Osaka University in the next academic year (2017), and it was approved.
Prior to this meeting, Executive Vice President KUDO participated in the Seoul National University 70th anniversary that was held on the previous day and she expressed her warmest congratulations to the President of Seoul National University.

Following the annual general meeting, Associate Executive Director KONDOH exchanged opinions actively with the presidents and vice presidents of the participating universities, sharing their challenges and possibilities.

Through activities in AEARU, reinforcement and the promotion of exchange of the network would be expected in future.

The next AEARU AGM will be held in autumn at Tsukuba University.

Dr. KONDOH makes the proposal

Group photo of attendees

[AEARU Activity 2017 Proposal]

1. Title

Advanced Materials Science Workshop

2. Date and Time

Fall 2017

3. Host

Osaka University

4. Outline and Purpose

The workshop will provide a platform for top-tier Asian universities, including AEARU members, to discuss the recent progress of materials science.  We particularly would like to focus on advanced smart materials & processing such as nanocomposites, ultralight & high-strength metals, biomaterials and 3D printing process. Through the workshop, we plan on having panel discussions, laboratory and company tours, cultural exchange activities, and keynote speeches from distinguished researchers.  Our goals are to 1) strengthen international collaboration by constructing a researchers network and promote international joint research, and 2) promote bilateral student exchange and foster global and diverse student connections.

Budget

Osaka University will cover the conference venue and necessary expenses. We are also planning to apply for funding to cover as much of the expense for foreign/Japanese students as we can.

Osaka University participates in London's science festival, "New Scientist Live"

Together with 7 other Japanese research institutes in the "Best of Japan Science" booth, Osaka University participated in "New Scientist Live," hosted by the UK-based English-language international science magazine "New Scientist," in order to actively deliver research information globally and strengthen research ability at the university as part of the "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities."

As this was the first science festival ever held in London, some 30,000 individuals from inside and outside of the UK were expected to attend, and just as expected, huge lines of attendees could be seen before the opening of the venue each day of the festival, which was held from September 22 ~ 25, 2016.

A large number of attendees visited the "Best of Japan Science" booth as well: everyone from undergraduate and graduate university students, researchers, and secondary education instructors, to families with small children, members of the media, and corporate representatives. Visitors to the booth read leaflets introducing research at Osaka University, asked questions, and occasionally had discussions. There were also some students who showed interest in Osaka University's campuses after seeing photos on the poster that was on display. Graduate School of Engineering Professor ASADA Minoru also drew quite a few attendees with his presentation on robotics, all of whom listened intently.

After the explanation at the booth, there were many future exchange students and overseas researchers considering Osaka University, along with their parents/guardians, as well as junior high and high school teachers who want to introduce Osaka University in their classes and corporations who want to pursue future collaboration with the university. This turned out to be a great opportunity for the people of the UK and Europe to know more about Osaka University.

ロンドン科学の祭典1

Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) 20th Annual Presidents Meeting

From June 26th to June 28th, 2016, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) held their 20th Annual Presidents Meeting (APM) at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Osaka University President Shojiro NISHIO, Executive Vice President Toshiya HOSHINO, Prof. Mayumi ISHIKAWA, and staff from the International Affairs Division participated in the meeting.

This year, the APM was held under the theme of “Key Challenges for Malaysian Higher Education and its Engagement with the Asian-Pacific region,” with presentations by presidents of each member university. In the following meeting, presidents and vice presidents from participating universities discussed research collaboration and future activities.

The 21st Annual Presidents Meeting will be hosted by the University of New South Wales, Australia, from June 25th to June 27th, 2017.

*Established in 1997, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) has grown to include 45 research university presidents from 17 different Pacific Rim countries. The aims of this association are to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education and, through cooperation and contributions in education and research, to work together on serious problems facing Pacific Rim societies. Osaka University hosted the Annual Presidents Meeting in 2015.

Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Asia-Pacific Women in Leadership (APWiL): Policy Round Table on Gender Equality

From April 26 ~ 28, 2016, the APRU APWiL Policy Round Table on Gender Equity was held at the University of Hong Kong, with Executive Vice President HOSHINO in attendance from Osaka University.

The topic of this round table was "Recruitment, Retention, and Success of Gender Equality and Equity," with discussions held on each of the three. During this meeting, presentations were held on outstanding practice of gender equality promotion carried out at each of the APRU member universities.

120th Anniversary of the Founding of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

From April 7 ~ 8, 2016, Shanghai Jiao Tong University held a Presidents' Forum as well as a ceremony to celebrate the 120th anniversary of its founding. President NISHIO Shojiro, Executive Vice President HOSHINO Toshiya, Executive Vice President OGAWA Tetsuo, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives Director OTANI Junko, and Prof. ISHIKAWA Mayumi of the Global Initiative Center were all in attendance to represent Osaka University.

The topic of the Presidents' Forum was "Innovation-Driven Development Strategy and Innovative Capacity Building for Research Universities," and discussions were held on the role of the university in the National System of Innovation. During the panel discussion, President Nishio touched on the Institute for Datability Science, established in April 2016, suggesting the realization of a super-smart society through data science pioneered by the Institute. The ceremony to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the founding of Shanghai Jiao Tong University was held on the second day, and representatives from each of the participating universities offered their congratulations.

sjtu120thanniversary

Group photo of attendees

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