On September 6, 2023, the Journal of Digital Life (JDL), an international academic journal from Japan, held its third conference entitled 'The Conference of Digital Life vol.3' at Okayama University. This event, organized by a dedicated committee in collaboration with the Okayama Digital Innovation Platform (OI-Start) and the university's Social Impact Support Program, gathered around 50 participants, including researchers and students, to engage in discussions centered on the keyword 'digital.' The day's agenda featured a lively short pitch competition and presentations of academic papers, showcasing the conference's ability to match the needs of researchers with the industrial sector.
During the conference, attendees had the opportunity to engage in vibrant discussions and exchanges of ideas. Notably, the poster presentations received much attention, with active dialogue among participants, emphasizing the event's role as a platform for connecting academia with industry.
The conference kicked off with opening remarks from Dr. Rui Jah, a special associate professor at Okayama University and chair of the organizing committee. He highlighted the institution's commitment to fostering a multicultural environment, expressing hopes for cross-disciplinary and international interactions among attendees, which included international students. Furthermore, Vice President of Okayama University, Dr. Masanobu Abe, addressed the audience, encouraging both researchers and students to expand their research ideas through this unique opportunity.
Mr. Yasunori Nogami, president of OI-Start, shared his expectations about the evolving landscape shaped by advancements in artificial intelligence. He remarked that we are entering an era where personal insights will become increasingly valuable, especially among younger generations, who are expected to approach challenges from their unique perspectives. Following the opening speeches, the keynote address was delivered by Mr. Takao Funakura, a secretary of OI-Start, who focused on the theme of 'Digital and Sustainability.' He introduced initiatives aimed at promoting digital transformation in local businesses and highlighted projects undertaken by Okayama University students, underlining the goal of utilizing digital power to achieve a sustainable and prosperous society.
The conference also recognized outstanding contributions in research. The Outstanding Paper Award, which honors the best papers published in JDL in the previous year, was conferred upon Associate Professor Futa Yahiro from Shikikan University, Ryo Tochimoto, Associate Professor Katsunori Ohyama from Nihon University, and Professor Kazuki Nakamura. Additionally, the Best Presentation Award for the most remarkable presentation of the day was awarded to Sakuto Sezaki from the University of Tokyo. In the short pitch contest, Mr. Katsuya Fujikawa from Fujikawa Plastic Co., Ltd. won the Sankei Digital Award, while Akram Jonov Dilvorakhon, a student from Okayama University, secured the OI-Start Special Award. This year's conference notably showcased a significant presence of student participants.
The Journal of Digital Life serves as a platform for sharing research related to the digital field globally. It aims to promote the development of evidence-based services and industries through interdisciplinary research, having been launched on September 1, 2021. The continued efforts of JDL in fostering industry-academia collaboration were evident during this enriching event, exemplifying its commitment to advancing digital innovation. For further details, click
here.
To learn more about the Journal of Digital Life, visit their official website:
Journal of Digital Life.