Osaka University Symposium “Learning from COVID-19 – Osaka University’s Mission in Infectious Disease Research”

Osaka University held the Osaka University Symposium “Learning from COVID-19 – Osaka University’s Mission in Infectious Disease Research” at Osaka International Convention Center (Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka) on Monday, January 10, 2022.

This kickoff symposium for the university's Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), established in April 2021, dealt with infectious disease research again just as the university had at the same international convention center last year.

This symposium was held both online and in-person as measures to prevent the spread of the infection, attracting 530 participants in total (150 in-person and 380 online).

In his opening greeting, President NISHIO Shojiro said, “We’d like to think about how to use what citizens, government, industry, and academia learned from the pandemic together with you in order to clarify the mission for the university.”

After that, Executive Vice President KANEDA Yasufumi introduced CiDER’s philosophy, activity, and role.

Two videos messages were presented from Chairman SASAKAWA Yohei of the Nippon Foundation and Dr. Michael Houghton of the University of Alberta, recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Nippon Foundation will provide 23 billion yen over the course of 10 years in the Nippon Foundation - Osaka University Infectious Disease Response Project.

In the first session entitled “Current state and preventative measures for COVID-19 in Japan,” Director WAKITA Takaji of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases appealed to the need to take not only vaccinations, but also border control, reforming public health, and improving the medical care system.

During the second session, Director MATSUURA Yoshiharu of CiDER said, “There are various factors behind the spread of viruses, such as population growth, environmental destruction, urbanization, and poaching of wild animals. We need to think of a way to live together with viruses.”

Moderated by Prof. KUTSUNA Satoshi (Graduate School of Medicine), Director Wakita, Director Matsuura, TESHIROGI Isao (Representative Director and President and CEO, Shionogi & Company, Limited), Prof. MUTO Kaori (The Instute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo), and FUJII Mutsuko (Chief, Health and Medical Care Department, Osaka Prefectural Government), had lively discussions about issues facing the central and local governments, industry, and academia, as well as the role that Osaka University and CiDER are expected to play.

Finally, Dean KUMANOGOH Atsushi of the Graduate School of Medicine delivered a closing greeting, wrapping up this meaningful symposium.