Event Report

The Kyushu University Forum “KYUDAI NOW” was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, following its inaugural event in Hanoi in 2023. The forum aims to showcase Kyushu University’s latest research across various disciplines, strengthen connections with its alumni, and build networks with individuals engaged in education, industry, and local government in both Vietnam and Japan. The event gathered approximately 100 participants, including Kyushu University alumni, individuals with study experience in Japan or aspirations to study there, professionals from private companies, and members of academia.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Vice President Shimizu Shuji of Kyushu University, followed by a guest address by Mr. Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City. In Session I of the symposium, Asst. Prof. NAKAJIMA Hironori from the Faculty of Engineering presented on “Fundamental Research and Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Water Electrolyzers.” He was followed by Prof. Ago Hiroki of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and the Center for Semiconductor and Device Ecosystem (CSeDE), who spoke on “Potential of 2.5-Dimensional Materials in the Future Semiconductor Industry.” Prof. Hattori Reiji from the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, gave the final presentation of this session titled “Semiconductor Development in Cutting-Edge Display Technologies.”

During the coffee break, a “Study in Kyudai” consultation session was held for Vietnamese attendees interested in pursuing higher education at Kyushu University. In addition, nine students presented posters highlighting their research across various fields. Presenters included Mr. Ma Zongpeng, Mr. Okonai Takara, Ms. Truong Thi Kim Thinh, Mr. Asagoe Takamasa, Mr. Zhang Kailei, Mr. Ma Chuanyu, Mr. Yasutaka Tokimoto, Mr. Takumi Matsuda, and Mr. Kento Kobayashi.In Session II, Assoc. Prof. Nomura Hisako from the Faculty of Agriculture presented her research titled “The potential of AI application in agricultural economics research – revenue optimization with simulation.” Prof. Kiyoshima Tamotsu from the Faculty of Dental Science, delivered a presentation on “Oral Malignant Tumors – the Role of Wnt, ARL4C, and YAP in Tumorigenesis.” Additionally, Assoc. Prof. Hanai Wataru from the Faculty of Human-Environment Studies, shared insights in a talk titled “Foreign Credential Evaluation as an Emerging System in Contemporary Asia.”

The event concluded with a closing speech by Assoc. Prof. Phạm Trung Kiên of University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), representing the Vietnam Alumni Association of Kyushu University. A reception followed, providing an opportunity to deepen mutual friendship through engaging and pleasant conversations in a warm and convivial atmosphere.