Shanghai Jiao Tong University & Osaka University Joint Seminar - "The Role of Universities and Engagement of Citizens and Communities in Shaping Smart Cities"

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, "Innovation stream KANSAI 2018," an Osaka City-sponsored event related to the development of the Umekita District, was held at Grand Front Osaka's Congrès Convention Center. During the event, a joint seminar was held between Osaka University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

On the topic of "The Role of Universities and Engagement of Citizens and Communities in Shaping Smart Cities," the universities from the two sister cities of Osaka and Shanghai explored the form of a feasible Smart City from the viewpoints of 'Smart Energy,' 'Smart Transportation,' and 'Smart Data' in a panel discussion.

Led by Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Du Zhao-Hui, four individuals from Shanghai Jiao Tong University took the stage, including Professor Dai Yan-Jun from the School of Mechanical Engineering (Smart Energy), Professor Peng Zhong-Ren of the School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering (Smart Transportation), and Professor Guo Min-yi of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering (Smart Data), giving real examples of their endeavors in Shanghai in a manner that was easy for attendees to understand.

From Osaka University, Executive Vice President of Research YAGI Yasushi served as the facilitator, while Associate Professor YAMAGUCHI Yohei of the Graduate School of Engineering (Smart Energy), Prof. DOI Kenji of the Graduate School of Engineering (Smart Transportation), and Director SHIMOJO Shiji of the CyberMedia Center (Smart Data), spoke about real examples of endeavors at OU and introduced the shape of a feasible Smart City considered from differences and similarities between the two cities.

In addition, Chief KAWATA Hitoshi of the Osaka City Urban Planning Bureau gave an introduction to urban planning in Osaka, stating that Osaka City hoped to enhance collaboration with Osaka University in planning for the second term of the Umekita Development Project.

This seminar was attended by nearly 100 individuals from private corporations, government agencies, and research institutions including universities. There was quite a bit of audience participation in the Q&A session that followed, making for a lively conclusion to the seminar.

On the morning of the 28th, led by Executive Vice President of Global Engagement KAWAHARA Genta, a meeting regarding academic exchange between Osaka University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the future was held on the Suita Campus.

In the afternoon, researchers broke into groups with researchers of the same field to discuss specific collaboration.

Osaka University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have been holding joint academic seminars for over 20 years, and Osaka University will focus more energy on promoting exchange with Shanghai Jiao Tong University strategically. In the future, we will continue to hold these academic exchange seminars while developing academic exchange in the field of Smart City research.

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A scene from the seminar (1)

A scene from the seminar (2)

KAWATA Hitoshi (Chief, Urban Planning Bureau, Osaka City)

A scene from the discussion

Du Zhao-Hui (Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University) and KAWAHARA Genta (Executive Vice President of Global Engagement, Osaka University)