Activity Report of Open Application Course vol.14
Program for cultivating female researchers by experiencing Japan's latest science and technology
Report from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki
For a seven-day period from September 2 to 8, 2019, we invited a total of 16 instructors, researchers and students from 11 institutions in India (Amity University Jaipur, BIT Mesra, IIT Kanpur, IIT Chennai, JBAS College for women Chennai, NITTE Mangaluru, NIPER Ahmedabad, PES University Bengaluru, Shree M & N Virani Science College Gujarat, VIT Vellore, Sri Venkateswara College New Delhi) to visit the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Miyazaki. Based on the theme of “a program for cultivating female researchers by experiencing Japan's latest science and technology,” invitees participated in tours, lectures, and practical training at facilities inside and outside the university. On campus, the group visited laboratories related to the participants’ fields of expertise. In addition to lectures and practical training, the participants held discussions with other researchers about joint research activities.
- In the field of Ultrastructural Cell Biology at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, participants studied nanoparticle analysis using state-of-the-art TEM transmission electron microscopes (HT7700 by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation) and SEM scanning electron microscopes (S-4800 by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation).
- Participants visited the Frontier Science Research Center, where they observed cancer cell migration by using state-of-the-art confocal microscopes (TCSSP8 by Leica Microsystems) and received guidance on its application to experiments.
- Participants visited the Ito Laboratory at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Miyazaki. At the laboratory, participants attended lectures on arsenic analysis and industrial wastewater analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometers (AAS) and ICPS.
- In the field of Applied Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, participants attended a lecture on apoptosis of cancer cells, and took part in experiments and observations of cell sorting using FACS (BD FACScalibur).
During their stay, participants also had the opportunity to visit local culture in Miyazaki and to experience Japanese culture. They visited Aoshima Jinja Shrine and Udo Jingu Shrine, which are the site of mythical legends, Sunmesse Nichinan, and Heiwadai Park to learn about the history of Miyazaki. They tried wearing kimono and received lectures on Japanese traditional culture and manners.
On the sixth day, a reporting session on program results was held on campus. Each participant expressed their impressions through experiences in the SSP program, and gave presentations on topics in future research, science, and technology. The reporting session was followed by a completion ceremony at which the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine awarded each participant a completion certificate for the Sakura Science Exchange Program.
Before returning to India, participants visited Miraikan (the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) and the Sony Explora Science in Tokyo, where they were able to experience the latest Japanese technologies. Everyone was enthralled by the sign language song of the humanoid robot ASIMO at Miraikan!
“Although our stay was short, I felt the wonder of Japan. I was impressed by the comfortable working environment in Japan, and I would like to work in Japan someday.” This is just one example of positive feedback from participants. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sakura Science Exchange Program for providing such a valuable opportunity.
