Report on academic exchange (colloquium) with Mapua University

(Press-News.org) The Institute for Frontier Science and Engineering at Okayama University of Science (OUS) is developing various international collaboration projects with the aim of forming a research hub where international talents gather.

Based on the education and research agreement between OUS and Mapúa University (MU) in the Philippines, a joint colloquium was held to foster exchanges among researchers and students from both universities. This was the third time the colloquium was held. Three professors — Haruo Akashi (Institute for Frontier Science and Engineering), Yoshihiro Kusano (Department of Applied Chemistry), and Tetsuo Iwanaga (Department of Chemistry) — participated in the event. Furthermore, under the guidance of these professors, graduate students (one doctoral and five Master's students) also took part. In addition, Ms. Hitomi Kohara, an administrative staff member from the OUS Global Center, accompanied the group to exchange information and opinions aimed at deepening future international exchanges.

MU hosted a variety of events as part of its "International Month," and the joint colloquium with our university, titled "International Seminar on Sustainable Materials, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering," was held as the opening event.

On the day, lectures were given by OUS faculty members, a doctoral student, and MU faculty members. With over 400 participants, including online attendees, the event was a success. In the afternoon, Kaito Nakajima, a doctoral student at our university, gave an oral presentation, and a poster session was held by students from both universities, leading to lively discussions. Our students' performance was particularly impressive, with two receiving poster awards.

The following day, the delegation visited MU's newly established Makati Campus in Makati City to observe its educational and international collaboration initiatives.

There was a new, highly modern building on the campus housing courses in Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Information Engineering. Each classroom is equipped with the latest audio equipment and network systems designed for online instruction. We were also deeply impressed by their proactive adoption of cutting-edge educational programs, such as collaborative courses with Arizona State University in the United States.

On the final day, guided by MU staff, we visited the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Anthropology, and we had a meal at a fast-food restaurant in Manila. The day’s activities provided a glimpse into the history, nature, and daily life of the Filipino people. The trip proved to be a meaningful training program that included cultural experiences.
Currently, two students from MU are enrolled as trainees at the Institute of Frontier Science and Technology, working on their graduation research. The two students and their colleagues started an “English–Japanese Café”, where students mutually teach each other Japanese and English.

Moreover, the results of this exchange are expanding in concrete ways, as evidenced by meeting a student who expressed interest in enrolling in the OUS Graduate School in the future.

The academic exchange between the Institute for Frontier Science and Engineering and MU is entering a new phase of student and staff visits. We anticipate the continuation of such exchanges and the further development of the education and academic collaboration between OUS and MU.

END