Sep 29 2021
Niigata University hosted the Third General Assembly of the Association of Institutions of Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Japan (the Ninth Japan-Russia Rectors' Forum, hereinafter referred to as "General Assembly") and its side events over the third week of September. Representatives of universities including Presidents and Rectors from Japan and Russia gathered online, and introduced their featured efforts, and deepened the bonds of friendship between two countries.
"The Association of Institutions of Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Japan" is an organization comprised of Japanese and Russian universities who aim to promote inter-university exchanges and increase the number of participants of student exchanges. As of September 2021, 63 universities from Japan and Russia are involved in the Association, and the General Assembly is held once every year and a half to two years with the location alternating between Japan and Russia. This year, the third General Assembly was held online hosted by Niigata University, and attended by about 140 people from 55 Japanese and Russian universities.
The General Assembly took place on Thursday, September 16, and President USHIKI Tatsuo of Niigata University and Rector SADOVNICHY Victor of Lomonosow Moscow State University delivered opening addresses. Afterwards, Mr. MARUYAMA Yoji, Senior Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, Ms. BOCHAROVA Natalia, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russia, Mr. KOZUKI Toyohisa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Russia, and Mr. GALUZIN Mikhail, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Japan gave congratulatory addresses.
Subsequently, President HOUKIN Kiyohiro of Hokkaido University and Rector SADOVNICHY Victor of Lomonosow Moscow State University delivered keynote speeches on activities of the Association of Institutions of Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Japan. Afterwards, at the discussion session, three universities, each from Japan and Russia, presented their advanced efforts in education with special attention on "Student Exchange and Developing Specialized Human Resources." President USHIKI Tatsuo of Niigata University served as a moderator and led a lively discussion on various educational topics from both countries.
At the end of the General Assembly, a communique was adopted agreeing to continue to cultivate student and young researcher exchanges, interdisciplinary research and university-industry collaboration which contribute to science, technology and innovation responding to the demands of society and solving global issues. In addition, all parties agreed to continue to make further efforts to strengthen the friendly relationships and exchange activities between two countries. The next General Assembly will be held in Moscow in 2023.
President USHIKI, serving as a moderator of the discussion
Adoption of Communique (President HOUKIN of Hokkaido Univ., Rector SADOVNICHY of Lomonosow Moscow State Univ., President USHIKI of Niigata Univ.)As part of side events of the General Assembly, multiple forums were held online in the same week. From Sunday, September 12 to Monday, September 13, the Third Japan-Russia Student Forum was held with the theme of "Crossing All Boundaries and Sharing Your Ideas," and attended by more than 100 students from Japan and Russia.
Students first took part in the "Cultural Exchange Session," and made presentations to exchange their opinions on various topics such as Japanese and Russian culture, characteristics of regions in both countries, students' projects, and global issues. 17 participants made presentations, and students themselves served as moderators to facilitate the discussion. Following the Cultural Exchange Session, students were divided into "Specialized Sessions" according to their area of interest: Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Activities such as workshops were carried out under the supervision of faculty members at each session, and students deepened their knowledge in the field of their specialization. At the end of the second day, students gathered again to present the results of each specialized session. The students' representatives summed up the results of the discussion, and the Forum was concluded with great success. Through the lively discussion in English over the two days, many of the participants said: "The Forum was really meaningful, and I was able to make a lot of friends.", "I'd like to participate in this kind of event face-to-face for the next time."
After the Student Forum, Mr. KURIYAMA Daiki, 4th year undergraduate in Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University, presented the results of their discussion at the General Assembly as a representative of Japanese students. (For detailed information including the program, please visit HERE)
Representatives of Japanese and Russian students, addressing at the Forum. Mr. KURIYAMA Daiki, Niigata University (left) and Ms. ZIMAKOVA Ekaterina from Lomonosow Moscow State University (right)
Participants of Japan Russia Student ForumAlong with the above-mentioned events, Scientific Forums were also carried out, and researchers and scientists from Japan and Russia gathered online to bring their expertise. Niigata University held the Scientific Forum with special attention on Medical Sciences on Wednesday, September 15.
At the Forum, Prof. SOMEYA Toshiyuki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University gave opening remarks, and President USHIKI Tatsuo of Niigata University and Dr. NARISAWA Rintaro, Niigata Occupational Health Medical Association, delivered keynote speeches about the history of medical exchanges between Japan and Russia. Afterwards, 11 researchers from Japan and Russia made presentations on two themes: "Undergraduate Education and International Exchanges", "Graduate Education and Research." The participants presented the latest initiatives on international education and exchanged the cutting-edge research results in their speciality. (For detailed information including the program, please visit HERE)
Prof. SOMEYA Toshiyuki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, giving opening remarks
President USHIKI Tatsuo, delivering a keynote speech
