Event

The Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies (Q-AOS), Kyushu University’s newest Research and Education Institute, set the stage for its future with its Exploring Futures from Asia and Oceania Kick-Off Symposium held in INAMORI Center on July 10, 2019. Established in April 2019, Q-AOS is bringing together researchers in humanities, sociology, science, technology, and life science to find solutions to social issues in Asian and Oceanian countries. Through such work, Kyushu University aims to expand its research and educational impact while deepening its relationship with countries in the region.

The Kick-Off Symposium, which was the institute’s first event, featured talks from Makoto Aratono, the Deputy Director General, and the leaders of its six research divisions—called clusters—giving an overview of the institute’s activities. These talks, along with 6 lectures from invited researchers from Asian and Oceanian countries and a poster session, provided the basis for discussion and interaction with international researchers in different fields to generate new ideas and research paths.

Also in attendance were President Chiharu Kubo, the Director General, who gave the opening remarks to the about 160 participants at the symposium, and Mr. Yoshihide Miwa, a Guest from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), who gave guest remarks.

The research clusters are also holding their own kick-off events around campus to foster deeper discussion in the different areas. The Cultural Variation Cluster held its event the day before the Kick-Off Symposium, and the kick-off events of the Urban Cluster, Medicine and Health Cluster, and Resource Recycling Cluster were held over the following two days. The final two clusters, the Security and Disaster Prevention Cluster and Sustainable Environment Cluster, have a joint event* scheduled for September.

＊A Kick-off symposium of the Security and Resource Recycling Cluster and Sustainable Environment Cluster: http://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/event-en.html

Q-AOS members, invited researchers and participants.

Chiharu Kubo, Director General

Yoshihide Miwa, MEXT

Makoto Aratono, Deputy Director General

Chief of Resource Recycling Cluster
Keiko Sasaki

Invited researcher of Resource Recycling Cluster
Prof. Jacques Eksteen

Chief of Urban Studies Cluster
Shichen Zhao

Invited researcher of Urban Studies Cluster
Prof. Yuhang Kong

Chief of Sustainable Environment Cluster
Kunio Araya

Invited researcher of Sustainable Environment Cluster
Dr. Eric Hsien-Shao Tsao

Chief of Medicine and Health Cluster
Shuji Shimizu

Invited researcher of Medicine and Health Cluster
Asst. Prof. Jeffery J. P. Domino

Security and Disaster Prevention Cluster
Takeshi Onimaru

Invited researcher of Security and Disaster Prevention Cluster
Prof. Khoo Boo Teik

Cultural Variation Cluster
Chief Tomoyuki Kubo (Right-hand)
Invited researcher Yinbfu Li (Left-hand)

Poster exhibition

7/9 Cultural Variation Cluster’s Kick-off event at East Zone 1, Ito Campus

7/11 Medicine and Health Cluster’s Kick-off symposium at Lecture room 1, Shiiki Hall, Ito Campus

7/11 Urban Studies Cluster’s Kick-off event at INAMORI Center, Ito Campus

7/12 Resource Recycling Cluster’s Kick-off event at Open Learning Plaza, Ito Campus