#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #Horizon Europe #HESPRI

Innovation through Cross-Cultural Collaboration at Okayama University

On June 30 to July 25, 2025, Okayama University, based in Okayama City, Japan, embarked on an innovative collaboration under the HESPRI framework, part of the Horizon Europe program initiated by the European Union. This partnership welcomed researchers from the American University of Moldova and the University of Strasbourg in France to explore innovation in cross-cultural contexts.

The initiative was led by Associate Professor Sato Miyazaki from the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences (Economics). The university hosted Vice-Rector Victoria Trofimov of the American University of Moldova, Dr. Frumusachi Ludmila, and PhD student Léa Daccache from the University of Strasbourg. Their involvement aimed to foster a rich dialogue on innovation by providing unique perspectives on cultural and economic dynamics among nations.

Engaging Activities and Discussions

Key events benefiting from this collaboration occurred on July 17 and 24. The first event took place at the Tsushima Campus Innovation Lab, KIBINOVE, where Moldovan researchers introduced their country's cultural and economic landscapes. This session sparked conversations comparing various critical areas such as agriculture, tourism, job hunting, regional revitalization, and higher education amidst innovative viewpoints.

On July 24, Miyazaki's students presented on Japan's cultural contributions to their Moldovan counterparts at the university's Central Library. Centered around the theme of