Since 1988, Kyoto University has hosted "Shunju Kougi" (Spring-Autumn Public Lectures) with the aim of sharing its accumulated, academic research-based intellectual resources with wider audiences, both on and beyond the campus.
The Fall 2015 program focused on the theme "Oceans" and consisted of three lectures delivered on three days in September.
The 5 September lecture, "Chasing dugongs, turtles, and giant catfish: conserving and co-existing with rare aquatic creatures", was delivered by Professor Nobuaki Arai, Field Science Education and Research Center (FSERC). On 12 September, Professor Kazuhiro Kazama of the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies presented "Environment and human life on coral islands: oceans providing connections for the contemporary world". The third lecture was "Deep-sea exploration and human life: cutting-edge research on earthquakes, resources, and life", delivered by Associate Professor Tada-nori Goto, Graduate School of Engineering. The three-lecture program attracted a total 949 attendees who actively participated in the Q&A sessions.
Feedback comments included: "One of the things I learned today is that, in order to protect a species, we need to understand its biology. I find those aquatic creatures very interesting."; "I had tended to associate Kiribati with a laid-back, fun-filled lifestyle but I learned today that living on those islands is a constant struggle. My life, too, is full of challenges. Hearing about life in Kiribati has inspired me to live every day to the fullest."; "It was interesting to learn how profoundly deep-sea research is related to our lives."
From left: Professor Arai, Professor Kazama, Associate Professor Goto
Scene from the event
