Kyoto University has concluded both a Memorandum of Understanding for Academic Exchange and Cooperation and a Student Exchange Agreement with Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey. The agreements are intended to facilitate long-term cooperation between the two institutions. To commemorate the signing of the agreements, the 16th Kyoto University International Symposium (KUIS 16) was collaboratively held at Koç University on September 7–9, 2011. The theme of KUIS 16 was "Innovative and Sustainable Development." The symposium featured contributions by scholars in the fields of management, economics, engineering, informatics and medicine from both universities, as well as executive staff members and other officials. The two-and-a-half day event attracted approximately 170 participants, including students, researchers and delegates from the industrial sector. The Kyoto University delegation was led by President Hiroshi Matsumoto, and included Executive Vice-President Kiyoshi Yoshikawa; Vice-President Junichi Mori, director of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations; Vice-President Michihiko Minoh, director of the Institute for Information Management and Communications; and Professor Kiyoshi Kobayashi, dean of the Graduate School of Management.
The symposium began with welcome addresses by both President Matsumoto and President Umran İnan of Koç University. Those addresses were followed by congratulatory speeches by Mr. Kiyoshi Araki, Japan's ambassador to the Republic of Turkey and Dr. Nüket Yetiş, former president of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). Those addresses were followed by the first academic session, titled "Innovative and Sustainable Development: The Role of the University." The session included a presentation by President Matsumoto, in which he discussed his view that, in order to tackle current global issues, it is necessary for universities to move away from focusing only on limited specializations, and cultivate scholars with a flexible mindset and a broad range of knowledge.
The symposium comprised a total of nine academic sessions, which featured presentations and lectures by scholars from Koç University and leading executives from Turkey's industrial world, as well as scholars from Kyoto University, who presented the latest ideas and research regarding sustainable development. The presentations were followed by lively discussion sessions involving both presenters and audience.
The symposium program also included guided tours of Koç University's School of Medicine, College of Engineering and College of Administrative Sciences and Economics. The visits provided an opportunity for the deans and professors of Koç University and Kyoto University to actively discuss the potential of academic exchange in those fields. Prior to the symposium, on September 6, a reception was hosted by Mr. Katsuyoshi Hayashi, consul general of Japan in Istanbul. The reception provided an ideal chance for symposium participants from both Japan and Turkey to become well acquainted with one another and discuss areas of mutual academic interest.
The symposium and the conclusion of the exchange and cooperation agreements are anticipated to greatly enhance cooperation between Koç University and Kyoto University, and make a significant contribution to good relations between Turkey and Japan.
 The exchange agreement signing ceremony. President Umran İnan of Koç University (L) and President Hiroshi Matsumoto (R) |  Mr. Kiyoshi Araki, Japan's ambassador to the Republic of Turkey |
 Symposium participants |  The reception hosted by Mr. Katsuyoshi Hayashi, consul general of Japan in Istanbul (front row, second from right) |