From 11 through 14 December 2015, the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES) held a symposium and workshop on global collaboration in a variety of fields, as well as meetings on double-degree programs and a study tour.
The "International Symposium of Global Collaboration on Education, Research and Business in Environmental Studies", held on the 11th at Kyoto University's Maskawa Hall, opened with remarks by GSGES Dean Shigeo Fujii, followed by speeches by three guests -- Prof Ngo Bunthan, Rector of the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), Cambodia, Prof John Sodeau of University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, and Mr Kenichi Ishihara, chief director of the Kyoto branch of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Next, Prof Kayo Inaba, Kyoto University's Executive Vice-President for Gender Equality, International Affairs, and Public Relations, greeted the 152 attendees, who represented 25 universities (including Kyoto University), one research institute, one governmental organization, and seven private companies across 16 countries.
The symposium's plenary session featured presentations by representatives of Kyoto University's Graduate Schools of Agriculture and Engineering as well as GSGES, who discussed their schools' international collaborative achievements, lessons learned, and prospects for further collaboration in education, research, and business.
On the following day, the "International Workshop for Implementation of Global Collaboration on Education, Research and Business in Environmental Studies" was held at Research Building 5 with 84 participants. Session A focused on double-degree and joint-degree programs for master's and doctoral students. Presenters discussed each university's program duration, scholarship opportunities, admission policy, and management challenges. In Session B, four speakers presented specific examples of technological development and other collaborations with the private sector. Other topics discussed included field education activities and a framework for supporting international cooperation among industry, government, and universities in ASEAN. In both sessions, various ideas were raised and difficulties shared, and participants agreed to continue to develop collaborations in environmental studies.
The symposium and workshop were followed on the 13th by meetings of the university staff involved in double degree programs, and on the 14th by a tour of a landfill site and other locations across the city of Kyoto.
The workshop in progress
Participants in the study tour held on 14 December
Symposium group photo
