2025-26
International Workshop on Sustainable Urban Environment Held at the University of Osaka
On 2–3 October 2025, the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Osaka hosted the international joint research workshop “Sustainable Urban Environment: Technology and Policy in Australia and Japan” in collaboration with the University of Melbourne. The workshop was organized by Professor Masanobu KII and Assistant Professor Chun-Chen CHOU (PI) from the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, and featured a research seminar on the first day, followed by a site visit to view architectural technologies at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan on the second day.
Participants included Dr. Jie Feng (PI), Professor Christhina Candido, and Dr. Xiao Ma from the University of Melbourne, along with one researcher from RMIT University. From the University of Osaka, six faculty members and 17 undergraduate and graduate students took part, bringing the total number of participants to 27. Through the exchange of technical and policy perspectives on urban thermal environments as well as urban activities and travel behavior, the workshop fostered active discussions that clarified research gaps, challenges, and potential areas for future Australia-Japan collaboration.
Prior to the workshop, a joint application had already been submitted to the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Bilateral Program, and the discussions further strengthened the foundation for building an international research framework and pursuing external funding.
President and Vice President from the University of Strasbourg Visit the University of Osaka
President Frédérique Berrod and Vice President of International Affairs, Birte Wassenberg, from the University of Strasbourg visited the University of Osaka (UOsaka) on 26 November 2025. The two institutions have maintained a close collaboration since the University of Strasbourg became a Global Knowledge Partner in 2022.
President Atsushi KUMANOGOH and other members of UOsaka welcomed the delegation to discuss future collaboration. After the meeting, the president and vice president visited the Immunology Frontier Research Center.
The meeting is expected to further develop academic exchange between the two universities.
Rector Magnificus from the University of Groningen Visits the University of Osaka
Professor Jacquelien Scherpen, Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen (UG), visited the University of Osaka (UOsaka) on 6 October 2025. UG and UOsaka have maintained a deep collaboration over the years, with UG being one of our Global Knowledge Partners.
President Atsushi KUMANOGOH, along with Executive Vice President Mikako HAYASHI and other members of UOsaka welcomed the UG delegation to discuss future collaboration. Both universities expressed a mutual interest in deepening their collaboration in various scientific disciplines.
It is hoped that the two universities will make significant strides in addressing global challenges and shaping the future of education and research.
Pro Vice-Chancellor from the University of Melbourne Visits the University of Osaka
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Collaboration) Alastair Sloan from the University of Melbourne (UoM) visited the University of Osaka (UOsaka) on 6 October 2025. UoM and UOsaka have maintained a deep collaboration through activities such as the Osaka-Melbourne Joint Research Workshops Fund since signing a strategic partnership agreement in 2022.
Executive Vice President Mikako HAYASHI and other members of UOsaka welcomed Pro Vice-Chancellor Sloan to discuss future collaboration. Through this meeting, both universities discovered new ways of strengthening the partnership further. Afterwards, the Pro Vice-Chancellor met with the former awardees of the Osaka-Melbourne Joint Research Workshops Fund.
It is expected that their visit will promote joint research and active student exchange.
Rector and Vice Rector from Bielefeld University Visit the University of Osaka
Rector Angelika Epple and Vice Rector for International Affairs, Diversity and Society Michaela Vogt of Bielefeld University visited the University of Osaka (UOsaka) on 5 August 2025. Both universities have maintained deep collaboration since Bielefeld University became a Global Knowledge Partner in 2023.
President Atsushi KUMANOGOH, Executive Vice President Mikako HAYASHI, and other members of UOsaka welcomed the delegation of Bielefeld University to discuss future collaboration. After the meeting, the Rector and Vice Rector visited the Center for Diversity & Inclusion.
It is anticipated that the meeting will lead to the further development of academic exchange between the two universities.
IFReC and IIT Co-host 4th Symposium on Immunology
The 4th Joint Symposium on Immunology, titled “The 4th IFReC–IIT Symposium,” was co-hosted in London on Friday, 20 June 2025, by University College London (UCL), through UCL’s Institute of Immunity & Transplantation (IIT) and the University of Osaka’s Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC).
Professor Hans Stauss and Professor Kiyoshi Takeda gave opening remarks. These were followed by lectures and discussions showcasing cutting-edge research in immunology. With approximately 100 attendees, the morning sessions featured oral presentations by six early-career researchers from each institution. In the afternoon, principal investigators from both institutions delivered nine talks, six from IFReC and three from IIT, stimulating vibrant discussion and the exchange of ideas.
Early-career researchers from both IIT and IFReC also presented posters, engaging further with peers and principal investigators. These sessions facilitated in-depth exchanges and highlighted the young researchers’ enthusiasm, as many gained significant inspiration from the interactions.
IIT and IFReC continue to advance international collaborative research and foster exchanges among researchers and students in the field of immunology, and this symposium is expected to further strengthen their partnership in the years ahead.
