2020
Online Study Abroad Information Session held for Thai students
On March 16, 2021, an information session was held online for Thai students interested in studying abroad, with 32 students participating in the session.
Ms. Pacharapon Tinawan, a staff member at Osaka University’s ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives located in Bangkok, Thailand, gave an overview of studying at OU and held a Q&A session.
Participants asked a number of questions at the lively Q&A session, ending the session on a positive note.
You can view video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdc0BA0CZMk
Online Study Abroad Information Session held for Vietnamese students
On March 6, 2021, an information session was held online for Vietnamese students to learn more about studying at OU, with 33 students participating in the session.
First, Assistant Professor Luong Viet Mui (Institute for Laser Engineering) and Specially Appointed Researcher Pham Phi Hai Yen (Center for Global Initiatives) outlined studying at OU.
Next, the following past and current students of OU shared their personal stories:
- Assistant Professor Duong Quang Thang (Information Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara institute of Science and Technology),
- Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Duong Thi Hoa (Center for Japanese Language and Culture, Osaka University),
- Nguyen Tung Nghia (Agricultural Machinery Service Division, KUBOTA Corporation), and
- Nguyen Duc Nhan (doctoral student, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University)
Participants
also took part in a lively Q&A session, finishing the session on a
high
note.
You can view video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Dbv7NlOgo
Symposium held to celebrate the 15
th
anniversary of Academic
Exchange Agreement between Osaka University and Strasbourg University (France)
A symposium to celebrate the 15 th anniversary of the Academic Exchange Agreement between Osaka University and Strasbourg University was jointly held online over three days from March 4, 2021, with some 100 attendees from both universities.
Osaka University and Strasbourg University concluded inter-university agreement in 1996 and have deepened their collaboration, primarily in the field of chemistry. They held this symposium, entitled “From research to innovation,” with the aim of promoting bilateral academic exchange in a variety of different areas.
The first session of the symposium started with greetings from President NISHIO Shojiro of Osaka University and President Michel Deneken of Strasbourg University. It was followed by greetings from Consul General AKAMATSU Takeshi of the Consulate General of Japan in Strasbourg, France and Director SAIGO Kazuhiko of the JSPS Strasbourg Office.
Professor HAYASHI
Takashi (Graduate School of Engineering), Professor MASHIMA Kazushi (Graduate
School of Engineering Science), and Professor KUBO Takashi (Graduate School of
Science), along with researchers from Strasbourg University, served as moderators
during the 3-day symposium.
Researchers from the universities and private companies in the areas of engineering, medicine, and economics introduced their research content and laboratories. Their talks were followed by lively Q&A sessions.
Presenters from Osaka University (in order of appearance)
- Professor ASHIDA Masaaki (Graduate School of Engineering Science)
- Professor KUMANOGOH Atsushi (Graduate School of Medicine)
- Specially Appointed Associate Professor NAKAMORI Masayuki (Graduate School of Medicine)
- Professor NOBEOKA Kentarou (Graduate School of Economics)
- Professor UYAMA Hiroshi (Graduate School of Engineering)
- Specially Appointed Associate Professor NAKATANI Daisaku (Osaka University Hospital)
- Professor DEGUCHI Shinji (Graduate School of Engineering Science)
- Dr. HIGASHI HARA Hiroki (Lecturer, Graduate School of Medicine)
Online Study Abroad Information Session held for students from Cambodia and Laos
On February 16, 2021, an Online Study Abroad Information Session was held for students from Cambodia and Laos, with 9 students participating in the session.
Following an overview of the university by Dr. Angkawidjaja (Specially Appointed Associate Professor (Lecturer), Center for Global Initiatives). Following this, Prof. Honda (International Center for Biotechnology), Dr. Streich (Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Graduate School of Human Sciences), and Associate Professor Ueda-Sarson (International College) introduced their departments. Students from Cambodia studying at OU also spoke about their personal experiences.
Participants also took part in a lively Q&A session, ending the session on a positive note.
You can view video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.
Meeting of the External Evaluation Committee for the Global 30 Project held
The External Evaluation Committee for the Global 30 Project held a meeting on March 2, 2021. This committee, which is made up of 5 members from institutes of higher education, private corporations, and high schools, evaluates the project based on both written documents and a Q&A session in the meeting with concerned parties at OU.
Following the explanation about results of the project over the last 10 years and future prospects by executive vice presidents and faculty members in charge of the Global 30 project, including the heads of the English courses, the committee members provided valuable opinions and advice.
Evaluations by the committee will be announced on the university’s official website.
The Global 30 Project, 5-year long grant-in-aid program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to bring 300,000 international students to universities in Japan, was started in 2009. Although the program ended in the 2013-14 academic year, Osaka University has made efforts to keep the project running at its own expense.
Committee members talk with OU members at the online meeting
Online Study Abroad Information Session held for students from the Philippines
On January 23,
2021, an Online Study Abroad Information Session was held for students from
the Philippines, with 154 students participating in the session. Associate
Professor Wilson Agerico
Tan Dino of the Graduate School of Engineering Science gave an overview of the
university, while 5 students from the
Philippines shared their experiences at OU. Participants also took part
in a lively Q&A session, ending the session on a
high note.
You can view video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.
Representatives from OU participate in the 2 nd U7+ Presidential Summit
The 2 nd U7+ Presidential Summit was held online from November 23~25 (Japan time).
The U7+ Alliance Summit, established in 2019 in Paris under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, is an opportunity for university leaders from all over the world to discuss, share information, and present their proposals on global challenges to be addressed at the G7 Summit.
This year’s Summit was hosted online by Northwestern University (USA) with cooperation from Columbia University (USA), Georgetown University (USA), and University of California, Berkeley (USA).
From Osaka University,
Executive
Vice President of Global Engagement KAWAHARA Genta and Executive Assistant to the President ISHIKAWA Mayumi (Professor, Center for Global Initiatives) participated in the
summit in place of President NISHIO Shojiro.
Nearly 100 delegates from 48 universities virtually convened for the summit to discuss the subject of Intergenerational Justice , specifically global issues, U7+'s relationship with G7, and Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI).
Also, a declaration that enshrines sharing the vision of future higher education and improving educational and economic inequality for the next generation was unanimously adopted.
Prior to the Presidential Summit, the U7+ Worldwide Student Forum was held in June and July of this year. 88 students from 22 universities from around the world virtually convened to discuss how universities could respond to climate change, social inequality, and other global issues. From OU, 4 students participated in the Student Forum and reported to President Nishio about the results of the Student Forum and proposals to the Presidential Summit.
In the wake of the remark from the Student Forum which stated that COVID-19 has had a disproportionately large effect on the future of young people, at the Presidential Summit, the delegates discussed the role that universities must play as well.
Next year’s Summit is scheduled to be held in the UK.
Online Study Abroad Information Sessions held in Vietnamese
On October 4, 2020, an Online Study Abroad Information Session was held for Vietnamese students, with a total of 51 students in attendance. Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Luong Viet Mui of the Graduate School of Engineering spoke about studying at OU and 3 Vietnamese students currently studying at OU talked about their personal experiences.
Students actively asked questions, ending the sessions on a positive note.
You can view a video of these sessions on Osaka University's official YouTube channel via the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPnCJAngEhU
The 4th Joint Symposium of Osaka University with Higher Educational Institutions of Brunei Darussalam
On Thursday, October 1, Osaka University held the 4th Joint Symposium with Higher Educational Institutions of Brunei Darussalam: Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sulan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).
Over 150 individuals participated in the Joint Symposium, including Dr. Haji Azman (Permanent Secretary of Higher Education) and university vice presidents from Brunei, and Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta and ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives Regional Director HISADA Hitoshi from OU.
This symposium included an introduction to the newly established Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP), a hybrid educational program utilizing the Osaka University ASEAN Campuses, as well as research presentations from individuals from both OU and Brunei. During the subsequent open discussion, there was a lively exchange of opinions regarding halal science. Many students from Brunei who wish to enter OUICP also participated in the discussion.
It is expected that these universities will make great efforts for more student exchange.
Online Study Abroad Information Sessions held in the Thai language
On Saturday, September 12 and Saturday, September 26, Online Study Abroad Information Sessions were held for Thai students with the cooperation of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) and the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, with 108 students participating in these sessions. You can view video of these sessions on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the links below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU9N92XeVEM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoR3jPFNohA
Online Study Abroad Information Sessions
held in the Myanmar language
On September 1 and 2, 2020, Online Study Abroad Information Sessions were held for Myanmar students
, with a total of 126 students in attendance.
In these sessions, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Thu Thu Nwe Aye of the Center for Japanese Language and Culture spoke about studying at OU and Myanmar students currently studying at OU talked about their personal experiences.
Students actively asked questions, ending the sessions on a positive note.
You can view a video of these sessions on Osaka University's official YouTube channel via the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQzjg9_wqg
Online talk session between U7+ Student Forum participants and President Nishio
On Monday, August 24, 2020, President NISHIO Shojiro, Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta and Executive Assistant to the President ISHIKAWA Mayumi held an online talk session with 4 student participants to the U7+ Student Forum.
The students spoke about what they had noticed while experiencing big changes in their environments due to COVID-19, such as self-isolation, bans on in-person school attendance, giving up on study abroad plans, and more.
The students also appealed to the president for student aid packages.
With appreciation for the students’ hard work, President Nishio provided students with feedback on their proposals and spoke about what OU expects of its students with the slogan of "Live Locally and Grow Globally."
Students expressed their hopes, speaking about their heightened sense of membership in the OU community and the world at large during the session with the President and Executive Vice Presidents and their will to actively engage in learning and international exchange activities.
[U7+ Student Forum]
As a preliminary event for the U7+ Summit to be held in November 2020, the U7+ Student Forum was held from Friday, June 12 to Wednesday, July 1, 2020, with 85 student participants from 22 universities in 12 countries around the world. The participants, including 4 from OU, talked about social responsibilities that universities and students should bear in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
U7+ Summit: https://www.northwestern.edu/u7summit/
Student Forum: https://www.northwestern.edu/u7summit/pre-summit-activities/student-forum-details.html
Online meeting with Mahidol University
On Tuesday, August 4, Osaka University held an online meeting with Mahidol University.
Ms. Wattanee Chamnankit (MUSAIS Office) and Ms. Peungjai Tinsulanonda (International Relations Division) were in attendance from Mahidol University, while Prof. HISADA Hitoshi (Regional Director, ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives), Dr. ZHANG Xixi (Specially Appointed Researcher), Mr. AKIYAMA Tetsuo (Department of International Affairs), and Ms. Pacharapon Tinawan (ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) joined from Osaka University.
At the meeting, the two universities exchanged opinions about the possibility of holding a joint seminar.
Online
Study Abroad
Fair (in Indonesian)
On Saturday, July 11, 2020, Specially Appointed Lecturer Clement ANGKAWIDJAJA of the Center for Global Initiatives held an Online Study Abroad Information Session for Indonesian students, with 157 students participating in the session. Dr. Angkawidjaja and two alumni gave an overview of the university and introduced personal anecdotes regarding studying abroad at OU. Participants also took part in a lively Q&A session, ending the session on a positive note.
Online
meeting with the University of Groningen
On Friday, July 3, Osaka University held a meeting with the University of Groningen, one of its Global Knowledge Partners, in order to build a strategic partnership between the two universities.
6 individuals were in attendance from the University of Groningen, including Mervin Bakker (Director, International Strategy & Partnerships), Prof. Dr. Andrej Zwitter (Dean of Faculty, Campus Fryslân), and Dr. Jan Peter Birkner (Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials).
13 individuals were in attendance from OU, including KAWAHARA Genta (Executive Vice President), SEKINO Tohru (Director, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), TANAKA Hidekazu (Vice Director, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), DOME Takuo (Director, SSI Member of Steering Committee, Social Solution Initiative / Special Advisor to the President), KURIMOTO Eisei (Deputy Director, SSI Member of Steering Committee / Vice President), HASE Toshiharu (Regional Director, European Center for Academic Initiatives, Center for Global Initiatives), OOBAYASHI Saori (Associate Professor, Center for Global Initiatives), and SUMIYOSHI Kenji (Director, Department of International Affairs).
They exchanged opinions about the holding of symposiums, the progress of joint research, and their future development in order to find possibilities to realize their hopes under the travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Osaka University Online Study Abroad Information Sessions
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Global Initiatives has been hard at work promoting the appeal of Osaka University to those living overseas. The Center held Study Abroad Information Sessions for individuals living in Mongolia and China in May and June of this year.
• Mongolia
The Center for Global Initiatives held an Online Study Abroad Information Session on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Participants were asked to register for the session beforehand using a QR code, and by doing so, the university was able to gather information on what aspects of Osaka University held the most interest for participants.
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ENKHTUR Ariunaa of the Center for Global served as facilitator for the session, and together with 3 Mongolian alumni and current students studying abroad at OU, an introduction to the university was given in Mongolian. 21 students participated in this session, in which they heard personal anecdotes regarding study abroad at OU and actively participated in a lively Q&A session.
• China
On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Specially Appointed Researcher ZHANG Xixi of the Center for Global Initiatives held the “Osaka University Study Abroad Exchange Session” intended for Chinese undergraduate and graduate students, with 112 students participating in the session. During the session, Dr. ZHANG, along with 5 currents students studying abroad from China, gave an overview of the university, provided participants with information regarding study abroad at OU, and introduced laboratories at Osaka University. Following this, a Q&A session and group chat were held, with participants mentioning on the survey following the event that they would like to participate in another online study abroad information session in the future.
Online meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Japan
On Tuesday, June 6, 2020, Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta held an online meeting with Gayrat FAZILOV, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Japan, Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education the Republic of Uzbekistan Uzoqboy BEGIMKULOV, and Rector Ravshan Rashodovich KHAKIMOV of the Tashkent Institute of Architecture and Construction. Also in attendance from Osaka University were Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Ariunaa ENKHTUR of the Center for Global Initiatives and Director SUMIYOSHI Kenji of the Department of International Affairs. At the meeting, discussions were held regarding the development of collaboration between Osaka University and universities in Uzbekistan.
Photo taken at Conference Room 3 of the Co-Creative Innovation Building
Montreal Declaration for Responsible AI Symposium – University of Montreal
On Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20,
2020, Professor Catherine Regis of the University of Montreal visited Osaka
University to hold a symposium regarding the Montreal Declaration. This visit
by Prof. Regis
was realized as a follow up to the U7+ (U7 Alliance of World Universities) Summit held in Paris in 2019,
which was attended by President NISHIO Shojiro and Executive Vice President KAWAHARA
Genta of Osaka University.
To start things off, on Wednesday, February 19, Prof. Regis and Institute for Datability Science Professor KISHIMOTO Atsuo exchanged their opinions in order to draw up a report to be submitted to the U7+ Summit to be held in June of 2020 at Northwestern University, USA.
On Thursday, February 20, Prof. Regis, President Nishio,
Executive Vice President Kawahara, and Professor ISHIKAWA Mayumi (Executive
Assistant to the President) held a meeting at the President’s Office. At the
meeting, President Nishio introduced the ELSI Center, to be established
by
Osaka University in April 2020, which will serve as a comprehensive research
hub regarding ethical, legal, and social issues in development of new
technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI).
At the symposium, which began with an opening greeting from Executive Vice President Kawahara, Prof. Regis gave an overview of The Montreal Declaration for Responsible AI, speaking about its goals and its innovativeness, as well as ethics guidelines for AI development, exchanging opinions with those in attendance from Osaka University.
After her lecture, responding to the explanations about AI-related activities at OU by Prof. KAWASAKI Ryo (Graduate School of Medicine) and Prof. Beverly Anne Yamamoto (Graduate School of Human Sciences), Prof. Regis introduced the AT-related center at her university, having a long talk about future research exchange.
From left: Professor Ishikawa (Executive Assistant to the President), Professor Regis, President Nishio, Associate Vice President Kawahara (at the President’s Office)
Symposium
Professor Regis
Q&A session