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On 17 April, Prof. Gerard Govers, Vice-Rector and head of the Science, Technology and Engineering Group at KU Leuven in Belgium visited Kyoto University. He was accompanied by 13 researchers from KU Leuven, which is in the top 10 of European Research universities (THE rating). They traveled to Japan to fathom partners with a similar profile for collaboration. Kyoto University was selected as one of these universities.
The program of the visit was organized by our University Research Administrators in cooperation with departments as well as graduate schools and consisted of two parts.
In the morning, Prof. Takao Hirashima (Director of the Division of Graduate Studies) introduced Kyoto University’s graduate education. This was followed by Dr. Taro Sonobe presenting Kyoto University Research Administration with its characteristics and support system on request of KU Leuven’s participants. In addition, Prof. Yasuyuki Kono (Vice-President for International Strategy) and MS. Mariko Adachi (Project specific lecturer at International Strategy Office) introduced the on-site laboratory project as a unique example of international activities at Kyoto University – also on request of the visitor.
After a courtesy visit to the President and the Executive Vice President for International Affairs, the delegation was divided into groups. They visited the Graduate School of Engineering, the Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, the Graduate School of Science, and the School of Global Environmental Studies in the afternoon. These visits were productive incorporating interviews with the deans of the graduate schools, tours of research facilities and interaction with students.
Through future follow-ups, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation with KU Leuven.
