Kyoto-ASEAN Forum 2016 held in Malaysia (8-9 September 2016)

On 8-9 September, Kyoto University hosted the Kyoto-ASEAN Forum 2016 "WINDOW to ASEAN: International and Innovative" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

More than 250 people from the seven ASEAN countries and Japan attended over two days to explore collaboration among ASEAN members, the Japanese academia, and Kyoto U, sharing information and exchanging views on research, education, and public engagement.

The event was co-organized by Kyoto Alumni Association Malaysia (MyKyoto) and the Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Platform (JASTIP), and supported by 23 organizations from across industry, government, and academia, including: the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), the ASEAN University Network (AUN), the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Japan's science and education ministry MEXT, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and Hitachi Ltd.

On day one, with former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in attendance as the guest of honor, the program opened with greetings from Tan Sri Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur, secretary general of Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education, His Excellency Mr Makio Miyagawa, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, and Professor Kayo Inaba, Kyoto University's executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations.

Following these speeches, Professor Shinya Yamanaka, director of the KU Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), delivered a video message addressed to local early-career researchers.

Keynote speeches were then delivered by His Excellency Mr Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister, KU President Juichi Yamagiwa, and Dr Haruo Takeda, Hitachi's Corporate Chief Engineer.

Day two featured parallel sessions, and concluded with remarks by Dr Muhammad Hakimi Mohad Shafiai, president of MyKyoto, Professor Mamoru Shibayama, director of the KU ASEAN Center, and Datuk Dr Abu Baker Mohamad Diah, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Science, Technologies, and Innovation.

The Forum was preceded by an exchange meeting, where some of the Forum participants and members of MyKyoto enjoyed informal discussions and networking.

Related link

• Kyoto-ASEAN Forum 2016
  http://www.oc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/overseas-centers/kyoto-asean-forum-2016/en/