2021

U7+ Alliance issues statement on the war in Ukraine

Full Statement

U7+ Statement on the War in Ukraine

March 18, 2022

The Presidents of the U7+ Alliance member universities stand in solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian universities, and with all those who are affected by the violence currently perpetrated by the Russian government. We are anguished and deeply concerned by this war brought upon Ukraine and by its catastrophic ramifications on so many lives.

As an international Alliance of 50 universities across 20 countries and all continents, so many of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as our colleagues and fellow universities and institutions around the world, are directly and indirectly impacted by the war. We are watching in sorrow, anger, and shock. We commend the bravery and sacrifice of those in Russia who are currently speaking out against the war. We reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of Ukrainian and Russian students, faculty, and staff on our campuses.

In response, our universities are mobilizing in support of the victims and those in need, both in and outside of our communities. We are providing student aid, assistance with legal obligations, as well as material and psychological support where possible. Our colleagues are offering insightful and unflinching expert commentary, helping the world understand what is happening.

The U7+ Alliance will continue to defend the fundamental values of peace, truth, democracy, academic freedom, and international cooperation that are the foundation of this Alliance.

All violence and all wars anywhere on the globe are, at their core, a devastating collapse of respect for humanity. We urge that all refugees fleeing conflict be treated equally and with compassion, without prejudice based on race, nationality, gender, or any other identity.

Link-J & UC San Diego Joint Webinar Series with Osaka University

Session 4 of the Link-J & UC San Diego Joint Webinar Series with Osaka University was held On December 3, 2021.

OU has built a fruitful cooperative relationship with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in research and education, and in recent years, the two universities have been strengthening their collaborative efforts in a number of fields, particularly bioengineering, bioinformatics, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

UCSD’s Institute of Engineering in Medicine (IEM) and Osaka University’s Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics (MEI) held this joint webinar for researchers from both schools to present their latest research findings on biophotonics.

The webinar started with greetings from the two co-moderators, Director of IEM Dr. Andrew McCulloch and MEI Vice Director Professor KINO-OKA Masahiro.

Two professors made research presentations:

  • “4D Cell Biology: Adaptive optics lattice light-sheet imaging and AI powered big data processing of live stem cell-derived organoids,” Assistant Professor Johannes Schoeneberg, UCSD
  • “Raman microscopy as a complementary tool for biological imaging,” Professor FUJITA Katsumasa, Graduate School of Engineering, OU

Following the lectures, attendees exchanged opinions.

This year, the two universities held 4 sessions on the topic of Mechano-Driven Functionalization of Engineered Tissues, deepening research collaboration and interaction between researchers. 

The universities will promote their research collaboration on this topic from new perspectives from next year and beyond.

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Student exchange event held between OU and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) to commemorate the 90th anniversaries of their founding

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, an online student exchange event was held between OU and National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan), both of which celebrated the 90th anniversary of their founding in 2021.

On the initiative of students from the Buddy Buddy Program (BBP) of NCKU and the Toyonaka Brothers and Sisters Program (BSP) of OU, fun events were held, even though participants were not physically together.

With students from both universities as moderators, Associate Vice President Charles Lin of National Cheng Kung University and Director ARIKAWA Tomoko of Osaka University’s Center for International Education and Exchange made speeches and an outline of each university was given.

In particular, an “Ishin-denshin (Mind-reading) game” and a quiz that introduced the cultures of Taiwan and Japan entertained participating students, livening the atmosphere.

This online event, a new way of deepening exchange, attracted 68 attendees (25 from OU and 43 from NCKU), becoming a great opportunity for students.

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A member of BSP delivers a quiz about Japanese food.

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NCKU Students answer quiz questions.

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An introduction to Taiwanese food.

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OU students (blue) and NCKU students (red) during a video conference

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Group photo

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Online joint symposium held between OU, UC Davis, and Kirin Holdings

On November 10, 2021, Osaka University, UC David, and Kirin Holdings held a joint symposium online.

These three universities began collaborative research on plant cell bioprocessing of human growth factors and other bioactive proteins in 2018.

The latest research results on producing bioactive proteins (such as human growth factors) from plant cells and assessment of their biological activity were shared at this symposium.

At the beginning of the symposium, OU Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta (Executive Vice President of Global Engagement), Professor Emeritus Raymond Rodriguez (Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Davis and Honorary Doctor of Osaka University), and Dr. Hiroaki Yajima (Deputy General Manager, Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.) greeted attendees. Following this, two members of Osaka University made presentations: Professor NAKAMURA Shunya (Graduate School of Engineering) and Nguyen Kim Dua (2nd year, doctoral program, Graduate School of Engineering).

Finally, ICBiotech Director FUJIYAMA Kazuhito summed up the outcome of this symposium. This international industry-academy collaborative research project showed:

(a) knowledge obtained from economical evaluation of the production process of bioactive proteins (such as human growth factors) from plant cells, and,
(b) assessments of biological activity and advantage of bioactive proteins produced from this process.

He also expressed his appreciation by saying that funds from Kirin Holdings were used for academic exchange between students and young researchers, promoting globalization of students.

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The 23rd OU-SJTU Academic Exchange Seminar held

The 23rd Academic Exchange Seminar between Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Osaka University was held on Monday, November 8, 2021.

Osaka University and its Global Knowledge Partner SJTU have alternately held this seminar since 1995, but held this year’s seminar online just like last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the opening session, hosted by Professor KONDO Katsuyoshi of the Joining and Welding Research Institute, OU Executive Vice President for Global Engagement KAWAHARA Genta and Dean HUANG Zhen of SJTU’s School of Smart Energy Innovation greeted attendees.

Overviews were delivered by representatives in each of the 9 fields at the seminar, including welding, materials, lasers, information, marine engineering, industrial biotechnology, chemistry, combustion engineering, and smart cities.

Sectional meetings were held from November 8 through the beginning of December, at which attendees discussed progress of research exchange and future plans.

The Opening Session on November 8

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Following the opening session, the Smart City Joint Workshop was held as a sectional meeting. Keynote lectures at the workshop included:

  • Toward Enhancing the Quality of Life in Smart Cities - Recent Activities in Osaka Area – ATA Shingo (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka City University)
  • Refined and People-oriented Practices of Shanghai Smart City - SHENG Xuefeng (President of Shanghai Smart City Development Institute)

Later, research presentations were held by researchers at both universities. Presentations from researchers at OU included:

  • Estimation of CO2 emission reduction potential using energy-efficiency and renewable technologies from building sector – YAMAGUCHI Yohei (Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Engineering)
  • Smart city transitions: technology-led mobility in Tokyo OPG to human-centered street in Paris OPG and Osaka EXPO 2025 – DOI Kenji (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering)

3 presentations were also made by researchers from SJTU.

This sectional meeting was a great opportunity for researchers from these two universities to share information on their respective research advancements and reaffirm their commitment to joint research. Their collaboration and development of research results in the future are highly anticipated.

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At the 2nd Student Forum on Saturday, November 13, which was facilitated by one student from both universities, three students each from both universities made presentations on how their research and activity will contribute to future society in terms of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the OU student presentations, presided over by WANG Yu (4th year, doctoral program, Graduate School of Medicine), the following three students made presentations:

  • Global Partnership Starts with Our International Exchange -- YAMATOKO Sojiro (1st year, master’s program, Graduate School of Engineering)
  • The relationship between transportation and the SDGs ~Example of transportation node space~ -- OHTSUKA Yusaku (1st year, master’s program, Graduate School of Engineering)
  • Energy demand modelling based on occupant behavior for decarbonization -- LI Yuanmeng (3rd year, doctoral program, Graduate School of Engineering)

These presentations are expected to contribute to future society in their respective fields, making this student forum a productive event to deepen mutual understanding between students and promote future student exchange.

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Representatives from OU participate in U7+ Presidential Summit 2021

The 3rd U7+ Presidential Summit 2021 was held online on Monday, October 25, 2021.

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.

Representatives from 22 universities in 11 countries participated in the summit, with Executive Vice President of Global Engagement KAWAHARA Genta and Executive Assistant to the President ISHIKAWA Mayumi (Professor, Center for Global Initiatives) representing Osaka University at the summit in place of President NISHIO Shojiro.

First, Annelise Riles, the Secretariat of the U7+ Alliance of World Universities (Northwestern University, U.S.) talked about U7+ Alliance activities in 2021. She spoke about student events and the achievements of thematic working groups over the past year. She also introduced the 3rd Intergenerational Routable Series, which was jointly held by Osaka University and France’s École Polytechnique under the theme of “Science and Technology Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

Following that, the U7+ Statement on Climate Change and Sustainability was presented. This statement included specific activity on two primary actions:

  1. Action 1 – promoting that all students of our universities will have access to courses related to climate, biodiversity, and sustainability, and
  2. Action 2 – reducing GHG emissions from 2018 levels by 2030, with the goal of developing and publishing a specific target for this reduction

The participating member universities voted unanimously to adopt this statement.

Following the summit, inquiries were sent to member universities whose presidents were not in attendance in order to take a vote on the statement. Eventually, 29 universities in 12 countries expressed their approval of the statement.

At the summit, Dr. Michael Spence (President & Provost, University College London (UCL)) and other related individuals also spoke about the U7+ Worldwide Student Forum, which was jointly held online by UCL and Northwestern University prior to the Presidential Summit. The forum was held from July to November 2021 with 94 students from 24 universities in 12 countries (5 from Osaka University) convening virtually to discuss the topic of “Climate Change: Intergenerational Conflict or Intergenerational Alliance?”

The content of the student forum was also reflected in the U7+Statement on Climate Change and Sustainability.

2021
University presidents unanimously adopt the U7+Statement on Climate Change and Sustainability

Related links

The First SCAI-IDS Joint Workshop for Future Collaboration on AI held with Sorbonne Université

On Monday, October 18, the Sorbonne Center For Artificial Intelligence at Sorbonne Université and the Institute for Datability Science at Osaka University held an online joint workshop. The two universities have been closely working together since President Nishio and Executive Vice President Kawahara (Global Engagement) visited Sorbonne Université and exchanged opinions regarding a partnership on AI technology in July of 2019. This event was held as a workshop to kick off their efforts to establish this bilateral cooperation system.

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Following greetings from Executive Vice President Onoye (Research, Information Promotion, and Libraries) of Osaka University and Vice President Serge Fdida of Sorbonne Université, Executive Vice President Kawahara expressed his thanks to Vice President Fdida for participating in the workshop.

At the AI and Humanities Workshop moderated by Associate Professor Nakashima from the Institute for Datability Science, researchers from both universities presented the results of their research on AI technology, exchanging opinions.

Finally, Executive Vice President Kawahara greeted participants, expressing his hope for further cooperation in this field and expansion of collaboration in education and research in a wide range of fields as well.

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Workshop on “The New Normal” held with Dresden University of Technology

On September 21 (Tues.), 22 (Wed.), and 27 (Mon.), Interdisciplinary Japan-Dresden Symposium (IJADE) 2021 was hosted online by Dresden University of Technology and Osaka University’s Center for Global Initiatives, with 87 individuals in attendance.

During the Plenary Session on the 9/21, Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta (Global Engagement) and Prof. Ronald Tetzlaff (Chief Technology Transfer and Internationalization Officer) of Dresden University of Technology greeted participants, and NAKAJIMA Sachiko (musician/mathematician/producer of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai) delivered a keynote speech.

At the following panel discussion presided over by Dr. Uwe Brandenburg (Managing Director, Global Impact Institute), the role of international exchange in “The New Normal” was discussed.

At Workshop I on 9/22, research promotion foundations from Japan and Germany, such as the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), made presentations with a lively Q&A session on future cooperation between the two nations.

At Workshop II on 9/27 held on the topic of “Cooperation in the New Normal,” Assistant Professor KAMON Yuri (Graduate School of Science, Osaka University), Ms. Maria Richter-Babekoff (International Affairs Advisor, School of Science & Center for Teacher Education and Educational Research, Dresden University of Technology), and Ms. Jyotika Dalal (Intercultural trainer and educator, Dresden University of Technology) delivered presentations on their successful international exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the breakout session following the presentations, participants exchanged opinions on their experiences and prospects in the New Normal, sharing information using online whiteboard tools.

The two universities confirmed that they would maintain their constructive dialogue.

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U7+Intergenerational Roundtable Series 2021 held

The U7+ Intergenerational Roundtable Series was held online in May and June 2021 for frank exchange of views among diverse stakeholders beyond generations.

As part of preliminary activity for the U7+ Alliance Presidential Summit scheduled to be held this fall, online discussions were held in 3 parts on the topic of “Intergenerational Justice in a Post-Pandemic World,” the topic of the Summit held in 2020.

Part 3 was co-hosted by Osaka University and École Polytechnique (France) on June 29, 2021.

From OU, Professor MORITA Atsuro and doctoral student Emile St-Pierre of the Graduate School of Human Sciences raised issues as discussants.

13 universities from 9 countries, including three OU undergraduate students, participated in the discussion about “Science and Technology Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

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Professor Morita and Mr. St-Pierre raise their issues

Northwestern University U7+ Intergenerational Roundtable Series website:

You can view video of this event by following the link to Event Recording.

OU participates in 7th China-Japan Conference on Education Exchange & Cooperation

On Friday, July 9, the 7 th China-Japan Conference on Education Exchange & Cooperation was held at a venue in Shandong, China, with representatives from Japan participating online. Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta of Global Engagement gave a presentation entitled “Endeavors in Online Education at Osaka University,” speaking about the university’s achievements in online education and the need for global education and research activity. Some 400 individuals from nearly 200 educational institutes in China and Japan participated in this conference, which provided a meaningful opportunity to promote cooperation between the two nations in a post-COVID 19 society through sharing information about effective use of online tools in education.

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Executive Vice President Kawahara makes his presentation online

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Audience at the conference in Shandong, China

Online Study Abroad Information Session held for Indonesian students

On June 26, 2021, an information session was held online for Indonesian students to learn more about studying at OU, with 169 students participating in the session.

Specially Appointed Lecturer Clement Angkawidjaja of the Center for Global Initiatives gave an overview of studying at OU, after which four Indonesian students currently studying at OU shared their personal stories.

Participants asked a number of questions at the lively Q&A session, ending the session on a positive note.

You can view a video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.

RENKEI (Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives) Health Workshop

On Wednesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 24, 2021, the RENKEI Health Workshop was held online. Some 80 individuals took part in the workshop, at which 17 researchers from RENKEI member institutions made presentations. The presenters spoke about their own research in 3 different sessions: patient safety, medicine and information science, and aging, exchanging opinions in a panel discussion.

From Osaka University, at the workshop moderated by Director NAKGAWA Atsushi of the Institute for Protein Research, Professor MIZUGUCHI Kenji of the Institute for Protein Research made a presentation about his research during the session on medicine and information science and Professor KABAYAMA Mai of the Graduate School of Medicine made a presentation about her research during the session on aging.

Moving forward, applications for collaborative research funds will be accepted and further collaboration between these researchers is highly anticipated in collaborative research.

*For more information on RENKEI, visit the link below.

RENKEI Health workshop 1
Prof. Mizuguchi (top right) spoke about AI-driven drug discovery

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Prof. Kabayama (top right) spoke about the relationship between the loss of independence and social factors (public participation/labor)

Online Study Abroad Information Session held for Vietnamese students

On June 5, 2021, an information session was held online for Vietnamese students to learn more about studying at OU, with 52 students participating in the session.

First, Specially Appointed 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, after which four Vietnamese students currently studying at OU shared their personal stories. Participants also took part in a lively Q&A session, finishing the session on a high note.

You can view a video of this session on the official YouTube channel of Osaka University via the link below.

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