President Nishio and others deliver presentations at the Academic Forum “The Future of Academia and Gender Equality ~ Towards Gender Equality Promotion at Universities and Academic Associations”

On Sunday, November 17, 2019, the academic forum entitled “The Future of Academia and Gender Equality ~ Towards Gender Equality Promotion at Universities and Academic Associations” was cohosted by the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) and Progressive Initiatives of Empowering Network for Diversity (OPENeD). Some 130 individuals, primarily from universities and research institutes, were in attendance, including President NISHIO Shojiro and Executive Vice President KUDOH Mayumi from Osaka University.

Prior to the forum, a meeting was held with IMAI Eriko (Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office) and KAKUTA Yoshihiko (Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)). At the meeting, President Nishio introduced endeavors undertaken at Osaka University, and attendees exchanged candid opinions regarding the promotion of gender equality.

A scene from the meeting

At the start of the forum, following greetings by FUJII Ryoichi (President, Research Organization of Information and Systems) and YAMAGIWA Juichi (President, Science Council of Japan/President, Kyoto University), President Nishio addressed attendees as General Director of the OPENeD.

President Nishio addresses attendees

In Part 1 of the Forum, entitled “The State and Challenges of Gender Equality in Universities and Research Institutes,” Executive Vice President Kudoh (responsible for OPENeD) gave a report on activity of OPENeD.

In Part 2 of the Forum, entitled “Promoting Gender Equality for Enhancing Research Quality ~ Endeavors in Academic Associations,” MARUYAMA Mihoko (Restart Postdoctoral Fellowship (RPD) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering; Specially Appointed Lecturer, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University) gave a speech entitled “The Ups and Downs of My Research Life.”

A presentation by Dr. Maruyama

A talk session by three female university presidents entitled “Female Presidents Talk about The Future of the University -- from the Perspective of Gender Equality” was also held, making the forum a meaningful one.

For more details regarding the forum , including the forum's program, please visit the homepage of the Center for Gender Equality Promotion by clicking here . (link in Japanese)