“Improving Quality of Life”: The University of Zurich–Kyoto University Strategic Partnership Joint Symposium 2026 (4–6 February 2026, Zurich)

An international symposium was co-hosted with the University of Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, from 4 to 6 February 2026. Titled Improving Quality of Life: What We Can Learn From Each Other, the event brought together researchers from diverse fields, including medicine, law, information science, plant science, and religious studies. The symposium aimed to strengthen and develop relationships with strategic partners. The Kyoto University European Center collaborated with University of Zurich representatives to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and identify new research areas, resulting in five thematic sessions:

A key pillar of this strategic partnership is nurturing the next generation of researchers.  To advance this goal, ECR participants had the opportunity to deliver a three-minute pitch presentations explaining their research in accessible terms for non-specialists on the second day. These presentations took place in the same auditorium where Winston Churchill delivered a speech in 1946. The young researchers skillfully managed the subsequent Q&A sessions.

The symposium identified key areas for future development, including enhanced staff exchanges, potential joint degrees, and securing external funding. The Kyoto University European Center has expressed full support for these initiatives.