Kyoto University, Prefecture to collaborate on botanical diversity conservation education and research (13 June 2018)

On 13 June, Kyoto University and the Kyoto prefectural government concluded an agreement to collaborate on education and research in the field of botanical diversity conservation.

The partnership will be led by the Kyoto Botanical Garden and five KyotoU departments: the Graduate Schools of Science, Agriculture, and Human and Environmental Studies, the Kyoto University Museum, and Field Science Education and Research Center (FSERC). These partners, together with other stakeholders, will collaborate on education and research related to the conservation of plants, especially ones critically endangered, and on the implementation of species conservation and environmental education initiatives. These efforts are in line with the University's mission to build a harmonious global society through education and research.

At the press conference, KyotoU President Juichi Yamagiwa explained that the wide range of projects to be pursued under the agreement are all focused on the conservation of wild plant species and botanical diversity. "It is my hope," he said, "that under this partnership, the Kyoto Botanical Garden and Kyoto University will both play an important role in, and fulfill their responsibilities to, the global society, the former acting as a window to the world of nature, and the latter as a guide to new fields of inquiry." He concluded by shaking hands with Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki, who reassured President Yamagiwa of his support for the collaborations.

The signing ceremony was followed by a Q&A, featuring Director Hiroshi Tobe of the Kyoto Botanical Garden and Professor Hiroaki Setoguchi of the KyotoU Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES). Responding to a reporter's request to name what their respective institutions could gain from the deal, Director Tobe answered, "Working with Kyoto University will allow us to contribute to society in not just education but also research," and Professor Setoguchi responded, "The Botanical Garden's expertise in growing plants will certainly boost our efforts to conserve and analyze rare species."