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Okayama University Hosts the 5th Joint Symposium with Taiwanese Universities

On December 5, 2025, Okayama University, located in Okayama City, Japan, held the fifth edition of its Joint Symposium in collaboration with the National Consortium of Six National Universities and the Taipei University Alliance. This event, chaired by Vice President Takayoshi Suzuki of Okayama University, aimed to enhance research exchange and strengthen networks between both consortia.

The symposium took place at the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) on Okayama University's Tsushima Campus, employing a hybrid format that allowed participants to join both in person and online from Japan and Taiwan. The gathering attracted numerous researchers and students, highlighting its significance in promoting international academic dialogue.

Since signing an international exchange agreement in June 2020, the National Consortium of Six National Universities—which includes Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, and Kumamoto University—and the Taipei University Alliance, consisting of Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Taipei University, and National Taiwan Ocean University, have maintained constructive relations. The symposium marked the fifth installment of their continued cooperation, reflecting a commitment to fostering friendly exchanges.

During the opening remarks, Okayama University's President Yasutomo Nasu welcomed the participants and emphasized the theme of the symposium: "Towards Sustainable Societies: Greening Education and Nature-Based Solutions." This theme aligns with the international framework for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) from 2020 to 2030. President Nasu stressed the role of universities in promoting sustainable transformations in cooperation with local communities and partner institutions, reinforcing their collective responsibility.

Following his speech, President Hsi-Fu Wang of National Taipei University of Technology addressed the audience, bridging Japanese and Taiwanese academic communities. The keynote lecture was presented by Professor Hiroki Fujii from Okayama University's Graduate School of Education, who spoke on the topic, “Getting Asian Learners Climate-ready: A Transformative Initiative in Education.”

Two student moderators, Kotona Kiyomiya and Haruna Uechi, both second-year students from the Faculty of Agriculture, facilitated the sessions, ensuring a dynamic flow of discussion. Ten researchers from the participating universities delivered presentations based on various perspectives related to the overarching theme. Notably, Assistant Professor Mizuki Katsuhara from Okayama University's Graduate School of Environmental Science discussed “How can we measure human-nature interactions and biocultural diversity?” Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, fostering active dialogue that included online attendees.

In a groundbreaking addition to this year's symposium, a Youth Session was organized following the main event, involving students from all ten partnering universities. They discussed, in breakout groups, what actions they could take as students following the topics covered during the symposium. This initiative marked a significant step towards facilitating student exchange under the newly signed student exchange agreement between the consortia, reinforcing their commitment to academic collaboration.

As we conclude this noteworthy gathering, Okayama University extends its anticipation toward future developments, continuously striving to enhance its role as a distinctive research university. Through collaborative efforts, the university aims to contribute to sustainable societal changes and academic excellence.

Conclusion

The series of joint symposia between Okayama University and its Taiwanese counterparts stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in academia. By fostering connections and promoting research that addresses urgent global challenges, these universities are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.







This proactive approach reflects Okayama University's dedication to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further emphasizes the importance of academic partnerships in addressing global issues.