On March 25, Mahidol University, Groningen University, and the University of Osaka held a joint symposium at Mahidol University. Staff members and students from the University of Osaka, including Executive Vice President YAMAMOTO Beverley Anne and Regional Director FUJITA Kiyoshi of the ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives were in attendance. At the symposium, university faculty members and students from each university gave presentations on the theme of Social Creation through Diversity and Equality, followed by lively and engaging discussions on topics such as cross-cultural understanding and sustainable and inclusive society. The symposium ended in great success with an interdisciplinary exchange of opinions based on the expertise of each participant. It is hoped that the symposium will lead to further exchanges in education and research between the three universities.

On February 18, 2025, an Online Networking event was held for OUICP/OUICP-S participating students enrolled in AY2024. Through online sessions via Zoom and metaverse sessions via cluster, it provided an opportunity for students to deepen their friendships before coming to Japan. OU students who participated in the event also shared their campus life stories.

On February 10, Professor Choowong Auesukaree (Faculty of Science, Mahidol University) visited Osaka University and met with Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Osaka University’s Center for Global Initiative). As well as exchanging opinions on the ASEAN Campus Project, they discussed the invigoration of research exchange on the theme of “food” and the development of student exchange based on OUICP and OUICP-S.

On January 21, 2025, the opening ceremony of the joint laboratory was held at UNISSA, our partner university and ASEAN Campus institution. From Brunei, Dr. Haji Azman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and presidents and representatives of the relevant universities attended, and from our university, Dr. FUJITA Kiyoshi, regional director of the ASEAN Center for Global Initiatives, Professor Quamrul HASAN, and Professor Masayoshi ARAI of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences attended. At the ceremony, Dr. Haji Azman declared the opening and signed the establishment of the joint laboratory, and UNISSA students gave an explanation on the research at the joint laboratory. The establishment of the joint lab is expected to promote the further development of educational and research exchange between the two universities.

On January 21,2025, the OUICP and OUICP-S graduation ceremony and entrance ceremony were held at Sultan Sherif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA). Approximately 60 people attended the ceremonies, including Dr. Haji Azman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Brunei, presidents and representatives of universities in Brunei including UNISSA, and from Osaka University, FUJITA Kiyoshi, regional director of ASEAN Center for Global Initiatives among others. At the ceremony, graduate certificates were handed out to students who completed the AY2023 program, and the participants of the AY 2024 program were introduced.

On December 20, Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University) visited KMUTT's International Affairs Office to exchange information on student exchange with the university’s international coordinator.

On December 19, Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito
(Director, International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University) visited NSTDA-BIOTECH to speak with Dr. Niran Roongsawang, who received his doctorate at OU, about future online symposiums and research programs.

From November 14 to December 17, a short-term study abroad program was held at the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University for students from ASEAN partner universities and facilities.

On December 9, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG YA had a discussion with 3 international students from partner universities/institutes in the ASEAN Campus Project: Mahidol University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and Universitas Gadjah Mada.
These students are studying at the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Oskaa University under the 2024 JASSO Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship For Short-Term Study in Japan).
They thanked the laboratories for support and expressed their hope to learn Japanese as much as possible during this program so that this short-term program would serve as a first step toward a longer-term program. They can communicate in English in the labs, so they feel comfortable doing research.
A student from Universitas Gadjah Mada, recommended by her advisor at her home university (an OU graduate), who participates in this program, said that she had a comfortable research experience without worries, thanks to close cooperation with researchers at OU.

On December 4, Dr. Jirarut Wongkongkatep (Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University) visited the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University.

On November 29, 41 students from 14 ASEAN Campus partner universities in 6 countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines) attended the Orientation Session for Students Accepted to OUICP 2024-2025. The Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP) is an interactive, hybrid educational program consisting of both online and study-abroad courses that make effective use of Osaka University's ASEAN Campuses.
These programs emphasize both professional training as well as collaborative learning, providing valuable opportunities for students from different cultural backgrounds to deepen their mutual understanding. At the orientation, the participants asked many questions, showing their strong motivation and ambition.

On November 28, the Directorate of Recruitment and Human Resources Development of UGM visited the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University. Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, ICBiotech) gave an introduction to the student exchange program and discussed with UGM representatives the promotion of student exchange and joint research in the future.

On November 26, the Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum “Atmosphere and Planetary Health Co-Creation Forum: Sustainability Cities and Health II “ was held at the Osaka ATC Green Eco Plaza. This forum aimed to promote awareness and active engagement in the research and practice of designing eco-friendly residential environments that support health. From Osaka University, Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori (Center for Global Initiatives), Professor KOBAYASHI Tomohiro (Graduate School of Engineering), and Specially Appointed Professor TAMIYA Eiichi (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN)) gave lectures. This event attracted 260 participants online and in person, ending on a high note.

On November 22, Dr. Ahmad Faizal of the School of Life Sciences and Technology at the Institut Teknologi Bandung visited the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech) of Osaka University to speak with Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, ICBiotech) about research cooperation in the field of plant biotechnology and its development.

On November 20, "Workshop on Exploring New Horizons: Novel Microbial Platforms for Protein and Biochemical Production ASEAN" was held at National Science and Technology Development Agency National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NSTDA-BIOTEC), a partner institute in the ASEAN Campus Project, where Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, ICBiotech) made a presentation.
Kent University (UK), Ho Chi Minh City National University (Vietnam), an ASEAN Campus Partner University, and others participated in the workshop, providing a valuable opportunity for researchers to expand their networks.

From October 31 to November 1, Associate Professor FUJIHIRA Manami of the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC) held an information session on ASEAN Campus short-term study programs (specifically, the Osaka-Mahidol Short-Term Study Abroad Program for Japanese Language and Culture) at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Mahidol University International College (MUIC) of Mahidol University .

This half-year long program consists of a preparatory course at Mahidol University before studying in Japan and a study course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC).

A total of 45 students participated in the information session over the course of two days, listening to explanations of the program and personal accounts from past participants.

On October 23, Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, ICBiotech) held a lecture for students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, an ASEAN Campus partner institute.
Some students seemed to be interested in attending graduate school at Osaka University or finding a job in Japan, as they listened attentively to the lecture.
Through the ASEAN Campus Project, Osaka University will nurture high-level talents in the ASEAN region.

On October 22, 2024, Dr. Suhana Binti Mohd Said (Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya; Specially Appointed Professor, Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University) visited Suita Campus.
Guided by the faculty members in charge of the ASEAN Campus Project, she actively exchanged views with Professor HONDA Kohsuke (Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech)) on the further development of student and research exchange between the two universities.
As OU has an inter-university agreement with UM for educational programs (OUICP, OUICP-S) of the ASEAN Campus Project, the two universities are expected to further deepen their cooperative efforts and expand opportunities for new collaborations.

On October 18, 2024, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar (Dean, School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering), Dr. Asrulnizam Bin Abd Manaf (Associate Professor Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence) and others from Universiti Sains Malaysia visited Osaka University to talk with Associate Professor ARAKI Teppei (Department of Advanced Materials and Implementations, SANKEN) about applied research to solve social problems in Malaysia throughnew electronics based on nano/micro materials.
In the ASEAN Campus Project, faculty members from the Campus Innovation Unit of the Center for Global Initiatives promote international joint research by facilitating matchmaking between partner universities and OU as coordinators.

On October 17, the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Animal Resource and Environment (ICARE) 2024 was held at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University), an ASEAN Campus partner institute, where Professor FUJIYAMA Kazuhito (Director, ICBiotech) gave a presentation.
Later, Professor Fujiyama met with Prof. Dr. Ir. Anas Miftah Fauzi (Dean of the Graduate School, IPB University) and Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada (Graduate School of Biotechnology, Universitas Gadjah Mada), both The University of Osaka Global Alumni Fellows*.

*The title of the University of Osaka Global Alumni Fellow is conferred to graduates and former faculty members of the University of Osaka who are active at overseas universities and research institutions.

On October 11, 2024, 5 instructors from Kasetsart University, including Ms. Patcharapa Tantichuwet (Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education and Development Science), met with Professor FUJITA Kiyoshi (Director) and Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori of the Campus Innovation Unit of the Center for Global Initiatives. During their discussion, they exchanged opinions regarding the development of student exchange in educational programs conducted under the ASEAN Campus Project.

On October 4, 2024, 11 representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, including Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien (Director, Office of National Science and Research Technology Programs), visited Osaka University. Present from Osaka University were Professor MORIKAWA Yoshitada (Graduate School of Engineering), Specially Appointed Professor ITO Tadashi (R3 Institute of Newly-Emerging Science Design), Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori (Center for Global Initiatives), Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Ya (Center for Global Initiatives), with Associate Professor KATSUMATA Mihoko (Joining and Welding Research Institute) joining the meeting online. After an introduction of various research fields at Osaka University, an explanation of the Osaka University ASEAN Campus Project was given. Later, attendees exchanged opinions about the possibilities of further collaboration between the two countries.

During the 11th International Workshop on Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology (IWAMSN 2024), which was held on September 23-25 in Da Nang, Vietnam, Professor MORIKAWA Yoshitada of the Graduate School of Engineering held a meeting with faculty members of the Vietnam Academic of Science and Technology (VAST). Both parties introduced their research projects and discussed the possibilities of future collaboration.

From September 15 to September 26, the OUCIP-S program “SDGs Field Study on ASEAN Campus BAMBOO: The Philippines” was held in the Philippines.
In this program based in the Asian Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman and the University of the Philippines Los Baños, participants attended lectures, field trips, and excursions to learn about the local society and the characters of Southeast Asia from various perspectives from local experts.
On the final day of the program, participants delivered presentations in English on the challenges facing SDGs in Philippine society and discussed with faculty members from the region.

On September 14, Dr. Do Kanh Tun of the Institute of Materials Sciences, VAST received a letter of appreciation from Professor ITOH Tadashi (Director, R3 Institute of Newly-Emerging Science Design) at the R3 Institute of Newly-Emerging Science Design at Osaka University.
Prof. SUZUKI Yoshishige of OU’s Graduate School of Engineering Science and Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh of VAST Institute of Material Sciences are involved in an international joint research project on magnetic sensors to detect magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for biomedical applications. Other researchers who made great contributions to this project also received the letter of appreciation.
Osaka University will continue to yield research results and develop human resources to solve challenges facing ASEAN and the world through education and research activities in the ASEAN Campus Project.

On September 2, completion certificates for the ASEAN Campus Short-Term Study Abroad Program “Osaka-Mahidol Short-Term Study Abroad Program for Japanese Language and Culture” were conferred at the ASEAN Campus at Mahidol University.

This program is a half-year long program consisting of a preparatory course at Mahidol University before studying in Japan and a study course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC).

Five participants completed the program in August 2024, but four of them were unable to receive their certificates in Japan. Thus, Associate Professor FUJIHIRA Manami of CJLC conferred the certificates in a ceremony attended by faculty members in charge of the program at Mahidol University.

From August 8 to September 13, 24 students from the Department of Biotechnology of the Graduate School of Engineering of Osaka University participated in “Overseas Field Study S” sponsored by OU’s International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech).
This course aims to nurture in students the fundamental ability to demonstrate their specialized expertise overseas.
The 24 students were assigned to several partner universities of Osaka University’s ASEAN Campus Project, including King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, and Mahidol University to conduct research and experiments on-site.
On the last day of the program, a presentation of the research results was held at Mahidol University.
This program has developed from research exchanges between faculty members of OU and its ASEAN Campus Program partner universities. It is anticipated that relationships among the universities will further deepen.

Dale Konstanz, Associate Dean for International Affairs at Mahidol University International College and others visited the Minoh Campus of Osaka University. They exchanged opinions with representatives from the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC): Director KISHIDA Yasuhiro, Vice Director SHOJI Ikuko, and Associate Professor FUJIHIRA Manami, about strengthening cooperation in education between CJLC and the International College, talking with Mahidol University students studying at OU.

As part of its ASEAN Campus Project, Osaka University is conducting a "High School-University Collaboration" project.
On July 23-27, a field study was held in Vietnam with the participation of 6 students from the High School for Gifted Students, VNU University of Science, one of Osaka University’s ASEAN Campus Partners, and 14 students from Hyogo Prefectural Hyogo High School. From the International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotec), Director FUJIYAMA Kazuhito participated in the program as coordinator.
The participants visited wind and hydroelectric power plants to see models of converting biowaste into biogas adn to learn about sustainable renewable energy. They also attended a lecture at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, OU’s partner in the ASEAN Campus Project.
The participating students from both schools deepened their interactions with each other through various cultural exchange programs and on the final day of the program, the students gave presentations on their week-long experience in Vietnam.

An information session was held for international students who are studying at OU under OUICP on July 23. After introduction to life at OU, they discussed their future careers with their seniors and faculties. After information about pursuing higher education was given, students in the doctoral course (including a student who completed OUICP) shared their experiences (including reasons for going to the course, the details of their journey to the course, financial aid, and challenges). At the social gathering following the session, students asked their seniors and faculties a lot of questions regarding their research topics and career paths and engaged in a lively exchange of views.

On July 2, the Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP) Summer Program Orientation was held. OUICP is an interactive, hybrid educational program consisting of both online and study-abroad courses that use the Osaka University ASEAN Campuses. Participants come to OU for a short-term study abroad experience. Five students from Thailand and Indonesia attended this orientation session, where they met with faculty members involved in the ASEAN Campus Project.

On July 2, 2024, Dr. Syazana Abdullah Lim and others from the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics of the Universiti Teknologi Brunei visited OU to receive research guidance from Professor UYAMA Hiroshi (Graduate School of Engineering) and Professor ARAI Masayoshi (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences). In the ASEAN Campus Project, faculty members from the Campus Innovation Unit of the Center for Global Initiatives act as coordinators to match researchers at OU with those from the ASEAN Campus partner universities to promote international joint research.

On June 6, Specially Appointed Professor KATOU Hitoshi, Professor KOMORI Mari, and Associate Professor FUJIHIRA Manami from the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC) participated in the international conference “Liberal Arts In the Role of Cultural Capital,” held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University.

On May 29, 2024, Osaka University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) jointly held the International Symposium of Technologies and Innovation for Material Circulation in a hybrid format, as part of the Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum on Plastic Solutions. Following these keynote lectures, presentations were delivered by researchers and students from both universities, including Professor NISHIYAMA Norikazu (Graduate School of Engineering Science). The 100 participants, including those from the Osaka University ASEAN Campus Malaysia Office located at USM, participated in a lively Q&A session with the presenters.

On May 9 and May 10, 2024, Pengiran Dr Hajah Nor Khairiah binti Pengiran Haji Hashim, Director, Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) visited Osaka University. They discussed the development of education and research exchange in the future, including international joint research and research guidance for students, with FUJITA Kiyoshi (Director), Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori, and Specially Appointed Professor HASAN Quamrul of the Campus Innovation Unit at the Center for Global Initiatives. With the help of the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, many students from UNISSA have participated in the OUICP, an international hybrid learning program conducted as part of Osaka University’s ASEAN Campus Project.