Twelve students and two faculty members of Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST), Yunnan Province, China, arrived in Japan late January to participate in a 10-day program consisting of lectures, field trips, and hands-on cultural activities. The program was part of the international exchange course, "Sustainable Farming in Yunnan Province, China", run by Kyoto University's Organization for the Promotion of International Relations (OPIR) in partnership with the Graduate School of Agriculture.
The participants were provided with various opportunities to learn about the host country's traditional culture, including a Yuzen-dyeing workshop and a tour of temples and shrines, as well as a lecture on Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, delivered in English by OPIR Associate Professor Shikiko Yukawa. They also went on field trips to Lake Biwa and Nara Prefecture to study the culture, history, industry, and environment of each of these places.
KU students enrolled in the course, who are scheduled to visit KUST in March, actively participated in the program as well, getting to know their counterparts from China and promising to see them again soon in Kunming.
KUST students arriving at Kansai International Airport
Associate Professor Yukawa (left) delivering a lecture in English
Learning about development and preservation at the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture
OPIR Director-General Junichi Mori (left) addressing welcome reception participants
Learning about Japanese history at the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture
Commemorative photo, taken after the closing ceremony
