On 7 September, JSPS Bangkok Office organized a JSPS guidance seminar at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)) in Penang, Malaysia which is one of the leading universities in the country. It was for the first time that we organized the seminar in the country.

Prof. Masatoshi Soeda, Director of Japan Culture Center (JCC) of USM, supported the seminar. Before the seminar, we visited JCC office that is located in “TORAY-USM knowledge transfer center” established with donation from Toray Industries, Inc. in December of 2015. Not only many Japanese students but also USM students visit the office, and it also has many Japanese language and culture books. It provides them with opportunities of exchange between Japan and Malaysia.

Prof. Masatoshi Soeda, Director of JCC (left)

The seminar started with an opening address by Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahaman, Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM, followed by the presentation of JSPS’s outline by Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office, and the introduction of its international programs by Ms. Noriko Furuya, Deputy Director, and Mr. Toshio Ohta, International Program Associate.

Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahaman, Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM

Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office

Highly interested in the programs, the participants asked several questions. We respectfully answered to them, and Prof. Yamashita gave advice that it is important to properly communicate with Japanese researchers before application for them.

In addition, some of participants who had experienced in JSPS programs willingly talked about their own experience.
The seminar was relayed to another campus through TV conference system, which enabled to provide more than 50 participants with information about JSPS programs. We also deepened exchanges with USM researchers, and the seminar concluded in being fruitful for both sides.

Group photo

with USM staff