Activity Report of Open Application Program 2021 vol.16 (Alternative Online)
Remote International Exchange Program Held with Six Asian Countries and Regions
Report from Yamaguchi University's Faculty of Agriculture at the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
In 2021 from October 9 to November 6 Yamaguchi University's Department of Agricultural at the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation held a remote international exchange program consisting of multiple remote online exchanges with 98 students from affiliated education institutions located in six different countries and region (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar) with the support of the Sakura Science Exchange Program.
Through various international exchanges over the past 20 years, we have been conducting joint research using biological resources with about 40 different universities in the ASEAN countries and we have promoted the creation of an international network for resource development in tropical environments. The purpose of the program we planned and conducted on this occasion was to especially invite students and teachers who have not yet visited Japan. We saw this program as an opportunity to give an idea of the current research conducted and the general environment of our institution to students from affiliated education institution who, with the impact of COVID−19, do not have an opportunity to study abroad in Japan.
The first remote exchange held on October 9 comprised firstly of an opening address and ceremony addressed by the faculty of agriculture's dean Mr. Miyata, followed by an orientation and finally a keynote speech that was given by Dr. Shoichi Ito, an emeritus professor at Kyushu University (Agriculture Economics). We received many questions during this unique lecture with some of the 48 participants asking about the theory of linking the global situation of supply and demand for food with the spread of health food. Dr. Ito also participated in the exchange meeting that was held afterward allowing for an opinion exchange as if they were face−to−face.
The next 6 remote exchanges were events that combined special lectures and short talks from poster presenters with a total of 261 participants. We have asked prominent researchers from countries and region like Turkey, Taiwan, Argentina and also prominent researchers from here in Japan to present the latest research results, utilizing the benefits of remote exchange. We have received high praise from many participants particularly during the fifth remote in exchange where information on various types of big data were analyzed using the statistical analysis software "R."
21 research projects were entered into the poster presentation. Many graduate students and instructors from each university including Vietnam National university of Agricultural, Kasetsart University and IPB University among others have published their research results in the recent years. Two among the participants who have achieved excellent research results were awarded the Excellence Poster Presentation Award.
The eight remote exchange, titled Japan Day, was held with two special lectures and a virtual tour. In the first lecture Ms. Ai Matsunaga (Head of Human Resources Division), who was sent to Kent State University presented the education system used in universities of America which was then followed by a debate with the graduate students from Kent State University. This was a great opportunity to learn from the latest case studies which could help in improving the education system used at Yamaguchi University. In the second lecture, associate Professor Yukiko Yanagi of the Faculty of Agriculture gave a detailed presentation of Akiyoshidai, a natural monument in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in terms of soil science. Participants from overseas were able to learn more about the current situation of Japan's natural tourism resources in an orderly way and understand the importance of preserving the natural environment by learning about the formation of Akiyoshidai.
A video showing the largest system farm in western Japan, Hananoumi Co., Ltd., was shown in the virtual tour. The Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial Technology Institute in Ube City was also introduced where participants could learn about advanced engineering techniques related to brewing Japanese sake.
Linc Biz was also used in addition to prepare websites that showed videos introducing some tourist attractions nearby Yamaguchi University. The websites' information was collected by the American exchange students. We trust that we have drawn more people's attention to Yamaguchi thanks to the many cool websites.
The virtual exchange done by Remo, which was the highlight of the program, was held on November 29, being the last of the series of remote exchanges. At this remote exchange, teachers and students from around the worlds could share their opinions with each other and there were also some students who showed an interest in studying long term abroad in Japan.
We were able to comprehensively learn, debate and share ideas with many universities about the main topic of "tropical resources" and "information analysis" thanks to the support provided by the Sakura Science Exchange Program. The results contained in this report has already been shared with each of the participating schools through compiled English reports. We trust that there will be more opportunities to have remote exchanges like these going forward and that the Faculty of Agriculture will know how to prepare and use the tools needed in future remote exchanges. Finally, we would like to thank everyone who cooperated with us during these remote exchanges.
