University of Vienna – Kyoto University Strategic Partnership Symposium 2024
Date：
General Info
Date
June 18, 2024 9:30～17:00 (CEST)
June 19, 2024 9:00～14:00 (CEST)
Place
University of Vienna
（ in-person only ）
Language
English
Program
Day1 (June 18)
| Time (CEST) | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Opening Session
Moderated by Dr. Barbara Good, Director of the International Office, University of Vienna Opening Remarks by
|
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Keynote Lectures
|
| 11:00 – 12:00 | PhD Pitch Talk Moderated by Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Forgó, Head of the Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law, University of Vienna Short presentations by PhD Students from Kyoto University and University of Vienna |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:30 – 17:00 | Group Sessions |
Day2 (June 19)
| Time (CEST) | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 11:30 | Group Sessions |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Closing Session Wrap-up of Group Sessions Closing Remarks by
|
Report
University of Vienna – Kyoto University Strategic Partnership Symposium 2024 (June 18–19, 2024, University of Vienna)
Kyoto University co-hosted the University of Vienna-Kyoto University Strategic Partnership Joint Symposium 2024, which was held at the University of Vienna. Kyoto University and the University of Vienna have actively promoted academic collaboration and exchange since the conclusion of a cooperation agreement between the two institutions in 1993. Links were further deepened by the conclusion of a Strategic Partnership Agreement in October 2019 under the direction of the two universities’ presidents. As strategic partners, the two universities have collaborated to develop cross-disciplinary research collaboration, pioneer joint research in new academic fields, and promote mobility by early-career researchers.
The symposium focused on the theme of global health, and brought together researchers from both universities in three group sessions dedicated to the following themes: Microbiology and Microbe-host Interactions, Social Psychology and Current Research on Japan’s Society and Cultures, and Mathematical Biology and Medicine. Approximately 60 people participated in the symposium, including many early-career researchers and students who are anticipated to work towards addressing diverse issues in the future.
The first day of the symposium began with opening remarks from Rector Sebastian Schütze of the University of Vienna and President Nagahiro Minato. In the keynote speeches that followed, Prof. Yukiko Uchida, director of the Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society, discussed the concept of well-being, and Prof. Bernadett Weinzierl, head of the Research Group on Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics at the University of Vienna spoke about atmospheric aerosols. The keynote speeches were followed by a pitch talk session, in which nine doctoral students from Kyoto University and the University of Vienna delivered three-minute presentations on their research and responded to questions from the audience. In the group sessions that followed, Prof. Hiroyuki Ogata of the Institute for Chemical Research and Prof. Hirokazu Toju of the Graduate School of Biostudies led the session on Microbiology and Microbe-host Interactions, Prof. Yukiko Uchida, director of the Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society, led the session on Social Psychology and Current Research on Japan’s Society and Cultures, and Prof. Sungrim Seirin-Lee of the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study led the session on Mathematical Biology and Medicine. Participants from both universities, including early-career researchers and students, gave presentations on their research and engaged in lively discussions to develop future joint research initiatives.
In the morning of the symposium’s second day, each of the three research groups followed up on their work of the previous day by giving presentations on their research, and also held discussions to develop future collaborative research. Then, in the afternoon, each group gave a summary report of their discussions, and the group leaders gave presentations on the groups’ plans to further develop their research collaboration.
At the end of the symposium, closing remarks were provided by Executive Vice-President Tetsuo Sawaragi (executive vice-president for research ethics, integrity, code of conduct, and international affairs) and Vice-Rector Manuela Baccarini (vice-rector for research and international affairs) of the University of Vienna.
Afterwards, the participants from Kyoto University visited the botanical garden of the University of Vienna and other facilities. At the botanical garden, the participants enjoyed explanations about the characteristics of various plants from around the world and the history of the gardens.
Symposium participants
President Nagahiro Minato and Rector Sebastian Schütze (University of Vienna) deliver their opening remarks
Executive staff from the two universities and H.E. Mr. Ryuta Mizuuchi, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Austria (second from the right)
The symposium group sessions
Executive Vice-President Tetsuo Sawaragi and Vice-Rector Manuela Baccarini (University of Vienna) deliver their closing remarks
The participants visit the botanical garden of the University of Vienna
