Kyoto University and the University of Vienna hold a joint workshop on research cooperation (6–7 September 2018)

On 6–7 September 2018, the "Joint Workshop on Current and Future Cooperation between Kyoto University and the University of Vienna" was held at the University of Vienna, Austria. Attending from Kyoto University was a delegation of researchers headed by Professor Kayo Inaba, executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations.

Kyoto University and the University of Vienna have been involved in active research and education collaboration in many fields, particularly since 1993, when the two institutions concluded a general memorandum for academic cooperation and exchange. The workshop sought to further develop collaboration in the fields of material engineering, cognitive biology, and law.

The first day opened with a welcome speech by Dr Jean Robert Tyran, the University of Vienna's vice rector for research and international affairs. His Excellency Mr Kiyoshi Koinuma, ambassador of Japan to Austria, then gave his own speech, expressing his hope that the two universities would hold a collaborative academic event in 2019 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Japan-Austria diplomatic relations.

Following the opening speeches, a round-table discussion was held, focusing on academic cooperation between the two universities and on the acquisition of third-party funding. During the discussion, information about external funding was provided by Ms Tomoko Deguchi, deputy director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Bonn Office. After the lunch break, group sessions were held to promote collaboration between the two universities.

On the second day, participants in the group sessions reported the outcomes of their discussions. The workshop was then brought to a close in the evening with a dinner reception hosted by the University of Vienna.