UOsaka Participates in Internationally High-profile GISHW Event at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai

The University of Osaka actively participated as a representative of academia in the major event of the international platform “GISHW (Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being)” held in July 2025 and discussed and shared ideas about the future of “safety, health, and well-being” together with international organizations and companies around the world.

GISHW, launched in response to the 2022 "Vision Zero Summit Japan," is an initiative involving international organizations such as the ILO (International Labor Organization) and WHO. The event was held at the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai (Yumeshima) and INTEX Osaka, welcoming participants from 57 countries and regions. The University of Osaka became the first academic institution to join GISHW in 2023, with the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Social Solutions Initiative (SSI), Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Engineering, and the "Inochi Forum" taking the lead in advancing its activities.

At the "High-Level Summit" held in the EXPO Hall on the morning of July 17, President Kumanogoh Atsushi was the only academic representative to take the stage. He strongly expressed UOsaka's determination to proactively contribute to the key areas set forth by GISHW. Prior to the summit, the students also had the opportunity to interact with leading figures from various countries and representatives of international organizations for standardization (IEC and ISO).

Left Photo: GISHW Hans-Horst Konkolewsky (left), President Kumanogoh (right)

Right Photo: IEC President Jo Cops (left), Right Photo: ISO President Sung Hwan Cho (left)

At the "Youth Congress Final Pitch" hosted by ILO in the afternoon of the same day, a team of students from the course of Nursing of our Faculty of Medicine was selected as one of the final eight teams. They delivered high-quality presentations in fluent English, earning lavish praise from ILO officials and companies. In recognition of this achievement, the students were invited to the GISHW reception party, where they interacted with representatives from various countries.

Presentation by the university's medical faculty student team at the ILO YOUTH CONGRESS

On July 18, the University of Osaka hosted an international symposium at the EXPO Salon. Under the supervision of Shun’ichi Kuroda, Director of the Institute of Science and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Keiko Takemura, Executive Vice President, gave the opening address, followed by a total of nine presentations from the fields of “safety (Graduate School of Engineering),” “health (Graduate School of Medicine),” and “well-being (SANKEN).” Approximately 70 people from Japan and abroad participated, turning out to be an excellent opportunity to showcase UOsaka's cutting-edge research and commitment to social contribution.

Scene from the UOsaka International Symposium at the EXPO Salon

On the same day, a baton relay ceremony for the Riyadh Expo 2030 was held, with Specially Appointed Professor Dome Takuo (SSI) taking the stage. Mr. Hashimoto Masahiko performed the "Song of Life," the theme song of the "Inochi Forum," launched by UOsaka and three Kansai Economic Federations. The following day, on the 19th, a symposium hosted by Saudi Arabia was held at INTEX Osaka, and Professor Dome gave another speech and once again performed "Song of Life" in the presence of many key figures, including representatives from NCOSH (Saudi National Center for Occupational Health and Safety) and ARAMCO, the world's largest energy company. This event successfully communicated UOsaka's strong commitment to collaboration with Saudi Arabia on an international stage, culturally along with messages.

Two days prior to this event, on July 15, approximately 30 representatives from GISHW member institutions visited the Suita Campus. They toured SANKEN and CiDER (Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research) and received an explanation on the initiative of the “Inochi Forum” as well as about Prof. Taniguchi’s laboratory and Prof. Sekitani’s laboratory in SANKEN, where a lively discussion took place.

In the afternoon, they also visited NAKANOSHIMA QROSS in Nakanoshima, where the university's diverse research resources and potential for international collaboration were amply confirmed.

GISHW executives visiting SANKEN and CiDER

GISHW will continue to develop as a platform for international collaboration, with participating organizations bringing together their achievements in preparation for the Riyadh Expo 2030. Osaka, its central birthplace, plans to host international events carrying on the GISHW philosophy. The University of Osaka will continue to collaborate with prominent international organizations and actively contribute to this global initiative.

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