The Gender Equality Promotion Center held the 8th symposium, titled "Global Perspectives on Diversity in Japanese Universities –Benefits and Challenges" at the Shirankaikan Annex.
On April 1, 2014, the Center for Women Researchers and the Gender Equality Promotion Office were merged into the Gender Equality Promotion Center for further development. In consideration of diversity and gender equality in Japanese Universities, the Center invited two international researchers for the 8th symposium. Chaired by Assistant Professor Eiji Yamasue, the Center's Public Relations-Networking-Outreach Project Working Group, the symposium was opened with an address by Professor Kayo Inaba, Vice-President of Kyoto University.
The first presenter, Associate Professor Síle Nic Chormaic, Light-Matter Interactions Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), delivered a presentation titled "Breaking the trend in Japanese universities - viewpoint of a female and foreign faculty member." This was followed by Associate Professor Benjamin McLellan , Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, who spoke on the theme" Foreign faculty - freedom and frustration." Following the two presentations, Q&A session and discussion were held with Asst. Prof. Yamasue serving as moderator. There was a lively exchange of ideas between presenters and participants.
 Assoc. Prof. Nic Chormaic and Assoc. Prof. McLellan |  Participants in the symposium |
