From 1 June 2016 through 31 March 2017, the Primatology Research Institute (PRI) hosted a Short-term Intern Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science for 10 participants from overseas universities.
Assigned to laboratories at either PRI or the Wildlife Research Center (WRC), the interns experienced cutting-edge research while training with Japanese students in comparative cognition, ethology, neuroscience, genetics, and other disciplines. They also joined the weekly Comparative Wildlife Research Workshop, held by PRI's Center for International Collaboration and Advanced Studies in Primatology (CICASP). These sessions helped all participants hone their international communication skills by having them discuss a range of topics in English.
The program also included a two-day excursion, designed to help deepen the interns' knowledge of Japanese and Kyoto cultures as well as of Kyoto University. The first day featured a WRC-PRI joint seminar, comprised of lectures by professors from both institutions and a Q&A session. The second day was devoted to cultural activities. The participants visited Taizo-in Zen Buddhist Temple to experience Zen meditation and attend a lecture by deputy head priest Daiko Matsuyama. These sessions were followed by a tour of temples and shrines, further enriching the students' experiences of Japanese culture.
During the WRC-PRI joint seminar
