On September 8 and 9, JSPS Bangkok Office attended the Kyoto-ASEAN Forum organized by Kyoto University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The forum aimed to provide Japan and ASEAN countries with opportunity to discuss academic collaboration and development between Japan and ASEAN and future vision, based on “WINDOW” concept of Kyoto University.
More than 250 participants, including students, from related institutions and universities of 7 countries of ASEAN attended the forum.
The first day, it started with an opening address by Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia, and Dr. Juichi Yamagiwa, President of Kyoto University, and Dr. Haruo Takeda, Corporate Chief Engineer, Research and Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd., made a keynote speech. It also included a various of presentations under the themes of “Promising Researchers Reflect on their Research”, ”Research and Social Innovation” and ”Study with Kyoto University” by young and experienced researchers from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Prof. Mamoru Shibayama, Director of Kyoto University ASEAN Center
The second day, the panelists and participants separately discussed each theme at two sites in order to solve issues. Unlike the first day’s atmosphere, several sessions were held in parallel under the themes of “International Cooperation in Research and its Sustainability Part1” and “Mutual Students Mobility between Japan and ASEAN”, and Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita , Director of JSPS Bangkok Office, and Ms. Noriko Furuya, Deputy Director, separately introduced JSPS programs in the sessions.
Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office
Ms. Noriko Furuya, Deputy Director of JSPS Bangkok Office
And then, in the second section, the sessions were held in parallel as well, under the themes of “International Cooperation in Research and its Sustainability Part2” and “Mutual Young Researchers Mobility between Japan and ASEAN”. JSPS Bangkok Office joined the latter session, and Prof. Yamashita made a presentation. In Q&A session, there were specific questions including requirement of application for JSPS international programs, and many of participants shown their interest in them. As Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) also joined in the session, one of participants said that he found the difference between JSPS and JST.
The 2nd section on the 2nd day
Many participants from Japan and ASEAN countries attended the forum on both days. There was mutual concerns that Japanese students and researchers are interested in studying in ASEAN are still fewer than ASEAN ones are interested in Japan, that there is room for improvement for it, and that Japan side contacts ASEAN side to do joint-research, however, it does not properly make progress. As the participants freely gave their opinions, it was a good opportunity to actively interact with the joined countries.
