A delegation from Kyoto University led by President Hiroshi Matsumoto traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to attend the Kobe University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Foreign Trade University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi Symposium: The 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Vietnam (organized by Senshu Ikeda Holdings Inc., The Senshu Ikeda Bank).
The symposium is part of a series involving the three universities from the Kansai region of Japan: Kyoto University, Kobe University, and Osaka University. The series began with the Kansai Revitalization Symposium on June 11, 2010, which sought to promote and support Japan from the Kansai region. A further symposium was held in Suzhou China on September 6, 2012, followed by the symposium in Hanoi Vietnam, which invited the participation of three top Vietnamese universities: Foreign Trade University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi (alphabetical order).
The symposium was a great success, and was attended by over 220 participants, including expatriate employees from Japanese affiliated companies and faculty, staff members and students from Vietnamese universities. Additional seating was arranged in the 200-capacity hall to accommodate the large gathering.
In the first half of the symposium, under the theme of "Issues in Sustainable Development in Vietnam and Japan: Energy, Environment, Food, and Traffic," presentations were delivered by scholars from the six participating universities, followed by a lively discussion session. From Kyoto University, Prof. Shigeo Fujii gave a lecture on "Sanitation and water environment situations in Asian countries, and countermeasures for the improvement."
The latter half of the symposium opened with a speech from the organizers, delivered by President Moritaka Hattori of the Senshu Ikeda Bank, opening remarks by President Hideki Fukuda of Kobe University, speeches by distinguished guests Mr. Toshinori Kobayashi, director-general of the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry and H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, minister of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. Presentations were then given by the presidents of the six universities on the theme of "What are Global Human Resources? – Thinking about Global Human Resources in Vietnam and Kansai." President Matsumoto gave a lecture titled "Kyoto University's Initiatives to Foster Global Human Resources," raising the question of why it is necessary to foster global human resources, and explaining the necessity of developing the next generation of global leaders who can solve complex international issues. President Matsumoto's presentation also introduced the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shishu-Kan), as one of the university’s initiatives.
After the presentations, a panel discussion was held with the presidents of the six universities together with Mr. Motonori Tsuno, director-general of the JICA Kansai International Center and President Hattori of the Senshu Ikeda Bank representing the industrial sector. The session was chaired by Mr. Akihiko Miyamoto, executive editor of the Nikkei Inc. Osaka Head Office, and sought to provide an opportunity for the university delegates to share their thoughts about the human resources needed by industry, and the best methods to foster such human resources.
The symposium ended with closing remarks by President Matsumoto, who suggested that it is necessary for industry, government, and academia to work together beyond national boundaries to foster human resources. Quoting an old saying often used by Ho Chi Minh President Matsumoto added: "To reap a return in ten years, plant trees. To reap a return in 100, cultivate the people."
During the symposium, a signing ceremony was held to conclude a cooperation agreement between Kyoto University, Kobe University, and Osaka University. Through the cooperation agreement, the universities seek to work closely together to enhance and develop their capabilities as world-class research universities and contribute to Japan and international society while effectively utilizing their distinct philosophies, characteristics, and location.
 President Matsumoto |  Prof. Fujii, Dean, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies |
 Panel discussion session | |
 The members of the discussion panel |  Signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement (President Toshio Hirano of Osaka University [left], President Matsumoto [center], President Fukuda of Kobe University [right]) |
