13th Southeast Asia Network Forum held in the Philippines (29 January 2019)

The 13th Southeast Asia Network Forum, themed "Creating Partnerships, Enhancing Innovation for Our Common Future", took place 29 January at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila.

Launched in 2015, the Network Forum is held in ASEAN countries by Kyoto University and local alumni with the aim of sharing the University's latest academic achievements with communities throughout the region, focusing on topics of local interest.

The 13th Southeast Asia Network Forum, the first to take place in the Philippines, was co-hosted by the Kyoto University Alumni Association in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines (UP), and Kyoto University's ASEAN Center and Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS). Over 200 individuals attended, from UP and other state universities and colleges, government agencies, and private companies.

The forum opened with remarks from Dr Fernand C Sanchez Jr, chancellor of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB), and Dr Kayo Inaba, Kyoto University's executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations. An introduction to the symposium's objectives was then provided by Dr Jose V Camacho Jr, dean of the UPLB Graduate School and president of the Kyoto University Alumni Association in the Philippines.

This was followed by a keynote speech, delivered by Professor Kazutoshi Mori of the KyotoU Graduate School of Science, reflecting on his years of research on unfolded protein response. A series of plenary presentations then ensued, in sessions dedicated to advancing research and building partnerships toward addressing issues of shared concern in both Japan and the Philippines. Topics ranged from genomics to indigenous cultural psychology.

Closing remarks were delivered by Professor Mamoru Shibayama, director of the KyotoU ASEAN Center, after which the participants enjoyed an informal social gathering in the evening.