#Japan #Environmental Science #Okayama #Okayama University #NTU

Introduction

In a major step towards fostering international collaboration in environmental research, Okayama University’s Faculty of Engineering launched an educational exchange program in partnership with National Taiwan University (NTU). From August 25 to 29, 2025, this initiative aimed at deepening students' understanding of sustainable development goals (SDGs) through hands-on research experiences.

Program Overview

The program, named the 'OU Course in the NTU-OU Exchange Program: Research Experiences in the field of SDGs Field Environmental Science,' attracted participation from six second-year students of the Environmental Management Course at Okayama University. Alongside them, eight undergraduates from NTU, guided by Associate Professor Wang Yu-Li and administrative staff member Wu Cailing, joined the program to explore various dimensions of environmental science in Japan.

The opening ceremony was marked by remarks from Dean Riki Takahashi, who laid out the objectives of the exchange, followed by an introduction to the course by Professor Mamoru Maeda. To give the visiting students a taste of local culture, graduate students presented aspects of Okayama’s rich heritage.

Lectures and Laboratory Tours

During their time at Okayama University, participants attended eight in-depth lectures led by prominent faculty members from the university’s Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology. Esteemed professors such as Mamoru Maeda, Hidetaka Chikamori, Shinichi Nishimura, Yasuaki Kuki, Takefumi Fujiwara, Toyoshi Fukumoto, Toshifumi Shibata, and Yasuhiro Matsui shared their insights on key environmental science topics. The afternoons were dedicated to laboratory tours, providing students an opportunity to witness cutting-edge research practices firsthand.

Research Presentations

The culmination of the program was a research presentation event where students shared their learnings with peers and faculty. This exchange was a vital opportunity for breaking academic boundaries and showcasing collaborative insights.

Field Trips

In addition to lectures, participants explored real-world applications of environmental science through a series of field trips. One notable site visited was the Kijima Bay Seismic Retrofitting Project, for which they received a comprehensive overview from Deputy Director Shuji Suyama and Department Head Hiromi Masuda of the Chugoku-Shikoku Agricultural Administration Bureau. The students toured the construction site, observing techniques employed to enhance seismic safety measures.

Furthermore, they visited notable irrigation infrastructures, including the Marugame Main Waterway and Manno Pond, where they learned about environmentally considerate methods in agricultural waterway management. Discussions led by Ikihiko Tanaka and Hikari Saito highlighted essential topics such as aquatic species conservation and the historical significance of Manno Pond as a World Irrigation Heritage site.

Prior Exchange at NTU

Preceding the Okayama University segment, the NTU course was conducted in Taipei from August 11 to 15. Here, six students from the Environmental Management Course participated in a series of engaging sessions covering biodiversity in aquatic areas, watershed management, and climate change adaptation strategies.

Conclusion

This educational exchange program not only equipped students from both institutions with deep knowledge about contemporary environmental issues but also emphasized the importance of effective communication in English within an international context. Furthermore, it served as a platform for showcasing the research and educational efforts previously undertaken by the Faculty of Engineering and the Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology at Okayama University. Moving forward, there is a strong aspiration to enhance exchanges and cooperative research initiatives among students and faculty from both universities.

The collaborative project, supported by WESCO Co., has been an ongoing effort since fiscal year 2022, reflecting Okayama University's commitment to being a regionally pivotal and distinctive research university.