Student Symposium held at Groningen University

From February 20~21, 2023, Osaka University and The University of Groningen held a student symposium on the topic of environmental radiation and environmental recovery of the Hamadori area* in Fukushima Prefecture. 17 in-person attendees and 28 remote meeting participants had lively discussions.

*Hamadori area was contaminated with radioactive substances from the nuclear power plant accident after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.

Two OU undergraduate students visited the University of Groningen under the auspices of the Human Resource Development for Nuclear Power Programmes (sponsored by The Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority) made a presentation along with an undergraduate student who participated remotely.

They had attended the Co-creative Radiation Education Programme (CREPE) hosted by Osaka University’s Institute for Radiation Sciences (IRS) and Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) and had participated in the Hamaodri Environmental Radioactivity Training as tutors.

Three graduate students from the University of Groningen also delivered their own presentations.

The OU students who delivered their presentation in person gave the following feedback:

“It was a valuable experience to share my experience in Fukushima with the world.”

“I thought I should begin with learning about my own country for the future international exchange.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had made international travel difficult for quite some time, but this symposium, where students were able to meet and discuss in person, was a stimulating time for students from both universities.

This Student Symposium, where participants discussed global social issues from various specialized fields, was a valuable opportunity for the participants to experience global perspectives and diverse ways of thinking.

Osaka University will continue to hold these student symposiums on a variety of topics as a comprehensive collaborative effort with the University of Groningen, OU’s Global Knowledge Partner, so that students from both universities can make mutual visits.