Event Report

Kyushu University Forum "Kyudai Now" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


Kyushu University Forum “Kyudai Now” in Malaysia was held on January 16^th (Tue) 2024 at the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Hotel & Residence, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The purpose of this event was to (1) strengthen the alumni network between Kyushu University and Malaysia and (2) promote interdisciplinary joint research and educational collaboration with both Kyushu University and Malaysia universities, governments, industries and communities at large. A total of six Kyushu University faculty members from various fields including engineering, science, medicines, and forestry. presented on their own research in front of approximately 110 participants. This forum was also streamed on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoiyFGmWxRk) with 111 viewers as of January 28, 2024. Senior Vice President of Kyushu University, Prof. Akira Harata, President of Malaysia Kyushu University Alumni Association (MyKudai), Prof. Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Bin Shaikh Salim and Minister of Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Mr. Atsushi Karimata delivered opening remarks.

Group photo Kyushu University Forum ”KYUDAI NOW” in Malaysia

 

Senior Vice President, Prof. Akira Harata and Minister of Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Mr. Atsushi Karimata

 

Vice Present, Prof. Shuji Shimizu and Malaysia Kyushu University Alumni Association (MyKyudai) members

 

Group photo with special guests from Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, JICA Malaysia Office, Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)

At the session 1:

“Agriculture and Medicine”, Assoc. Prof. Ayumi Katayama from Department of Agro-environmental Sciences, Kyushu University presented on “Carbon Cycling in a Bornean Tropical Rainforest” followed by Prof. Koji Todaka from Center for Clinical and Translational Research, who gave a presentation entitled “The Importance of Academic Research Organizations in Recent Medical Product Research and Development”.

Assoc. Prof. Ayumi Katayama

 

Prof. Koji Todaka

At the session 2:

“Engineering and Science”, Asst. Prof. Yasutaka Tsuji from Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University shared his research entitled “Development of Swarm Intelligence Algorithm for Combinatorial Optimization Problems with Complex Constrains -Application to Railway System-” followed by Assoc. Prof. Mitsugu Todo from Research Institute for Applied Mechanics shared about “Biomechanical and Biomaterial Studies in Orthopaedic Science”. Prof. Kazuyuki Yagi from Department of Mechanical Engineering presented “Introduction to Studies of Tribology Group at Kyushu University” and finally, Prof. Naoki Ikegaya from Department of Advanced Environmental Sciences and Engineering presented “Wind Engineering Studies for the Built Environment”.

Asst. Prof. Yasutaka Tsuji

 

Assoc. Prof. Mitsugu Todo

 

Prof. Kazuyuki Yagi

 

Prof. Naoki Ikegaya

There were many questions and active discussions from participants who were university’s faculties, students, Kyushu University Alumni, among others. The closing remarks were given by the Vice President of Kyushu University, Prof. Shuji Shimizu.

Participants of Kyushu University Forum “Kyudai Now” in Malaysia
(Jan. 16^th 2024)

After this forum, networking party was held at the restaurant of UTM Hotel & Residence including almost 80 participants including Malaysian and Japanese Kyushu University Alumni. More than 20 Malaysian and Japanese Alumni in Malaysia joined in this event. These events created new networks and also re-activated the relationships among Kyushu University and university faculties in Malaysia, Kyushu University alumni, and communities.

Networking Party including Kyushu University Alumni in Malaysia

Next day, January 17^th, Kyushu University delegate visited the MJIIT to have discussion with Prof. Ali Selamat (The Dean of MJIIT), Prof. Kanao Fukuda as well as other MJIIT faculties and staff about further promotion existing and new research and educational collaborations.

Group Photo with Prof. Ali Selamat (Dean of MJIIT), Prof. Kanao Fukuda and other MJIIT faculties and staff (Jan. 17^th 2024)

After the visit to MJIIT, Kyushu University members had a courtesy visit to the Universiti Malaya to discuss the possibility for new research collaboration and staff exchange.

Group photo at the Universiti Malaya (Jan. 17^th 2024)

This event will provide an opportunity to share the latest research in various fields in Kyushu University for the wider Malaysian society, especially sharing information with alumni.