Tokyo Tech News

3rd Tokyo Tech-Uppsala University symposium spurs collaborative research

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Published: November 21, 2016

The 3rd Tokyo Tech-Uppsala University Joint Symposium was held at Uppsala University in Sweden on September 12 and 13. The first symposium was held at Uppsala in September 2014, and the second was held at Tokyo Tech in November 2015.

Approximately 40 faculty members from Tokyo Tech led by President Yoshinao Mishima and 63 members from Uppsala led by Vice-Chancellor Eva Åkesson attended the symposium. Also in attendance were Yuriko Kawakubo, deputy director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Stockholm Office, and Jun Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sweden.

Opening Session

Professor Ingelman delivering presentation
Professor Ingelman delivering presentation

The symposium opened with a welcome address by Vice-Chancellor Åkesson, through which she described her expectations for enhanced cooperation and interaction between the two universities. President Mishima introduced Tokyo Tech's recent reforms in education, research, and governance. Deputy Director Kawakubo introduced JSPS's activities and programs to promote collaborative research. Uppsala Dean of Research Kristina Edström discussed current Swedish research policy and infrastructure trends at Uppsala. The opening session ended with Uppsala Professor Gunnar Ingelman giving a speech on the importance of institutions preparing for breakthroughs in basic scientific research.

Plenary Session

Associate Professor Takayasu delivering presentation
Associate Professor Takayasu delivering presentation

Uppsala Associate Professor Andreas Hellander and Tokyo Tech Associate Professor Misako Takayasu introduced their initiatives in the field of big data. Uppsala Professor Lars Stolt and Tokyo Tech Associate Professor Kei Sakaguchi delivered presentations on "Innovation and Industrial Collaboration." Hans Nylen from STUNS Energi and Tokyo Tech Professor Junichi Iijima introduced their activities in "Innovative Education."

Breakout Sessions

8 sub-committees were held simultaneously, addressing the following research topics:

1.
Energy Technology
2.
Materials Science
3.
Energy Systems and Analysis
4.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
5.
Mathematics
6.
Applied and Nuclear Physics
7.
Serious Games and Human Interfaces
8.
Digitalization

Closing session

Executive Vice President Ando (left) and Vice-Rector Tysk (right) exchange copies of the joint inter-school agreement
Executive Vice President Ando (left) and Vice-Rector Tysk (right) exchange copies of the joint inter-school agreement

The wrap-up session served as an overall meeting for discussion and summary by representatives of each sub-committee. An agreement was reached on the importance of securing funds for continued activities. At the closing, Tokyo Tech Executive Vice President for Research Makoto Ando summarized the work of each sub-committee and emphasized the expectations for new ideas born from interaction among researchers from both universities. Vice-Rector for Science and Technology Johan Tysk noted that the relationship between the two universities had evolved from the initial phase of mutual understanding to that of specific cooperation.

Finally, Uppsala's Faculty of Science and Technology and Tokyo Tech's School of Environment and Society, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, School of Engineering, and School of Science signed a joint inter-school agreement to deepen mutual exchange.

Reception

After the first day of the symposium, JSPS hosted a reception at Linneaus Garden. On the second day, Uppsala University hosted the farewell party.

Reception at Linneaus Garden. From left: President Mishima, Vice-Chancellor Åkesson, Ambassador Yamazaki

Reception at Linneaus Garden
From left: President Mishima, Vice-Chancellor Åkesson, Ambassador Yamazaki

Courtesy call to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences

From left: Vice President Sekiguchi, IVA International Coordinator Dollhopf, IVA Executive Director Weigelt, President Mishima, Executive Vice President Ando
From left: Vice President Sekiguchi, IVA International Coordinator Dollhopf, IVA Executive Director Weigelt, President Mishima, Executive Vice President Ando

After the symposium, President Mishima, Executive Vice President Ando, and Tokyo Tech Vice President Hidetoshi Sekiguchi paid a courtesy visit to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA). They met with KVA President Christina Moberg, who spoke with them about KVA's activities. They also toured facilities of KVA, such as the session hall where the announcements for the Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, Physics, and Economic Sciences are performed. At IVA, they met Executive Vice President and Secretary to the Academy Johan Weigelt, who briefed them on IVA's activities.

  • From left: International Cooperation Coordinator Hirasawa, Vice President Sekiguchi, KVA Executive Director Hedenqvist, President Mishima, KVA President Moberg, Uppsala Professor Ingelman, Executive Vice President Ando

    From left: International Cooperation Coordinator Hirasawa, Vice President Sekiguchi, KVA Executive Director Hedenqvist, President Mishima, KVA President Moberg, Uppsala Professor Ingelman, Executive Vice President Ando

  • Visiting the KVA session hall

    Visiting the KVA session hall

Institutes visited

  1. Uppsala UniversityThe oldest Nordic university, founded in 1477
    Headquartered in Uppsala, about one hour north of Stockholm
  2. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA)Founded in 1739 for the promotion of science
    Awards the Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, Physics, and Economic Sciences
  3. Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering (IVA) Established in 1919
    Holds seminars to promote engineering, economics, trade, and industry

Contact

Research Planning Group, Research Planning Division, Research Promotion Department

Email kenkik.kik@jim.titech.ac.jp
Tel +81-3-5734-3803

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