カテゴリー: Bochum-topics

On May 4, 2026, Prof. Shinji Kuroda from the Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences at University of Tsukuba visited Ruhr University Bochum.

During his visit, Prof. Kuroda met with Prof. Achim von Keudell (Vice Rector for Structure and Planning), and also visited researchers across a wide range of fields, including physics, computer science, and materials science. They engaged in active discussions on future research and educational collaboration between the two universities, with particular emphasis on the potential for student exchange.

The “International Cooperative Education Program with EU Universities for Interdisciplinary Fields of Nano-, Quantum-, Information-, and Bio- Technologies (EUXP),” led by Prof. Kuroda as project leader, provides students with international and interdisciplinary learning opportunities in science and engineering fields through collaboration with six leading European universities. This program was selected as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s initiative, “Inter-University Exchange Project 2024 – International Cooperative Education Program with EU Universities.”

Ruhr University Bochum is one of the European partner institutions in this program. Starting this year, student exchange between the two universities will begin through a double degree program in computer science, and further expansion of student exchange across various disciplines is expected.

On March 18, 2026, a delegation from Hochschule Düsseldorf (HSD) visited the University of Tsukuba.

HSD is promoting an internationalization strategy called “Japan Gateway” with support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), aiming to expand collaboration with Japanese universities and industry. This visit was organized as part of efforts to advance the Japan Gateway initiative, in coordination with the University of Tsukuba Bochum Office.

The program began with mutual introductions of the two universities by Vice President Osamu Ohneda (Global Affairs) of the University of Tsukuba and Vice President Thomas Molck (Academic, Student and International Affairs) of HSD. This was followed by presentations on research and educational activities: from the University of Tsukuba, Professors Hiroaki Yano, Yoshihiro Kanamori, and Kazuo Misue (all from the Institute of Systems and Information Engineering), and from HSD, Professors Jens Herder and Kay Schröder. Lively discussions were held on potential collaboration between the two institutions.

After the discussion session, the delegation toured the Empowerment Studio under the guidance of Professor Yano and visited Professor Kanamori’s laboratory. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore the strong potential for research and educational collaboration between the two universities, particularly in the fields of information science and engineering and virtual reality (VR), where both institutions have considerable strengths.

In September this year, a summer school is planned to be held in Düsseldorf as part of the Japan Gateway project. It is expected that participation by students from the University of Tsukuba will further promote student exchange between the two universities.

A webinar for early-career researchers, titled “Research in Europe,” was held on Wednesday, February 18.

Jointly organized by four national universities— University of Tsukuba, Kyoto University, Kobe University, and Kyushu University—this webinar was designed to encourage young researchers in Japan to explore research opportunities in Europe. The event was a great success, attracting more than 100 participants including speakers and general attendees.

The program featured a lecture by Dr. Ken Matsumoto, a graduate of the University of Tsukuba and Senior Researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel as well as a Science and Technology Fellow at the Mission of Japan to the European Union. He introduced his own research career in Europe and shared insights based on his experiences. This was followed by a presentation from Deputy Director Dr. Shota Ito of the JSPS Bonn Office, who introduced JSPS support schemes for early-career researchers.

In addition, many staff members and researchers from funding agencies and universities/research institutions in Belgium, Germany, France, and Sweden joined the event, offering detailed presentations on research environments and funding systems in their respective countries. Participants raised a number of questions—such as differences between Japanese and European research cultures—demonstrating the strong interest in pursuing research in Europe.

Through efforts like this, in collaboration with Japanese and European universities and research institutions, the Bochum Office will continue to foster academic exchange between Japan and Europe.

Please check the following webpage for detailed information.

This online event is organized by the University of Tsukuba Bochum Office in collaboration with Kyoto University, Kobe University, and Kyushu University to promote research stays in Europe by young Japanese researchers (such as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows).
The program will feature:

• A lecture by a Japanese researcher (an alumnus of our university) currently active in Europe
• An introduction to funding opportunities for early-career researchers by the JSPS Bonn Office
• Presentations from funding agencies and universities in four European countries—Belgium, Germany, France, and Sweden—on research environments and support schemes

If you are interested in conducting research at European universities or research institutions—either while enrolled at our university or as the next step after graduation—please join us. Participation by senior researchers who are committed to fostering international experience among young scholars is also welcome.

On October 15, 2025, faculty and staff members of the University of Tsukuba held discussions with guests from the University of Groningen and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan to explore possibilities for future collaboration.
Arranged by the University of Tsukuba’s Bochum Office, the meeting welcomed Mr. Tim Zwaagstra, Senior Policy Adviser International Strategy & Relations at the University of Groningen, and Mr. Sebastiaan Den Bak, Education and Science Attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan, to the Tsukuba campus.
They engaged in active discussions with Professor Akira Uedono (Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences / Regional Director for European Liaison Officies), Professor Shinji Kuroda (Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences / Project Leader of the International Cooperative Education Program with EU Universities for Interdisciplinary Fields of Nano-, Quantum-, Information-, and Bio- Technologies), Professor Takeaki Sakurai (Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences / Executive Officer, Research Management Office), and Associate Professor Yukie Sato (Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences), focusing on the potential for future academic collaboration between the two universities and between Japan and the Netherlands more broadly.
The Bochum Office, in collaboration with the University’s French offices, continues to play an active role in strengthening academic ties not only with Germany but also with neighboring European countries. This meeting is expected to serve as a catalyst for further collaboration with institutions in the Netherlands.

On October 7, 2025, faculty members from the University of Tsukuba participated in the DWIH Tokyo Symposium: Innovations for an Aging Society, held at Keio University’s Mita Campus.

Organized by the German Centre for Research and Innovation Tokyo (DWIH Tokyo) and co-hosted by the University of Cologne—one of the University of Tsukuba’s university-level partner institutions—the event brought together experts from Germany, Japan, and other countries to discuss innovative solutions and international collaboration strategies for promoting healthy aging. The symposium featured a diverse program of presentations and discussions on initiatives addressing the challenges of aging societies.

From the University of Tsukuba, Professor Akira Uedono (Regional Director for Europe / Director of the Bochum Office) delivered the opening remarks. In addition, Professor Satoru Takahashi (Dean of Institute of Medicine / Department of Anatomy and Embryology) and Professor Isao Muraki (Institute of Medicine / Department of Public Health Medicine) participated in a panel discussion. Professor Minoru Yamada (Institute of Human Sciences / Laboratory of Preventive Care) and Associate Professor Hiroaki Murakami (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences / Modern German History) took part in the poster session, engaging in active discussions with other speakers and participants.

This was the second event held together with DWIH Tokyo in 2025, following the Conference on Global Health Innovations held at the University of Tsukuba’s Tokyo Campus in April. The University of Tsukuba will continue to promote academic exchange between Japan and Germany through collaborative events with DWIH Tokyo and other German academic institutions.

From October 1 to 3, 2025, Prof. Ina Otte and Dr. Nino Chikhradze from the Institute for Diversity Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum visited several laboratories at the University of Tsukuba.

Coinciding with the Tsukuba Conference 2025 and the annual Campus-in-Campus meeting, the two guests participated in seminars and discussions at the Department of Health Services Research.
In addition, Dr. Chikhradze visited Research Team of Cancer Nursing and Care System Research, as well as Gerontological Nursing & Caring Laboratory, where they engaged in active discussions on potential joint research and student exchange opportunities.

The academic event “DWIH Tokyo Symposium: Innovations for an Aging Society”, supported by University of Tsukuba, will be held as follows on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

This symposium will address the major societal challenge of aging, which both Japan and Germany commonly face, and will feature discussions on innovative solutions and international collaboration strategies. It will be a valuable opportunity to engage with leading researchers, policymakers, and innovators from both countries who are tackling aging-related issues from diverse perspectives. We warmly invite you to participate.

For details and registration, please visit the DWIH Tokyo website below:
https://www.dwih-tokyo.org/en/event/innovations-for-an-aging-society/

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Start Time: 10:00 (Reception opens at 9:30)

Venue: Keio University, North Annex
1-4-65, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0072, Japan

Language: English

Admission: Free of charge

Speakers from University of Tsukuba:

Opening Remarks
Prof. Akira Uedono (Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, Director of Overseas Offices in Europe)

Panel Discussion
Prof. Satoshi Takahashi (Dean of Institute of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Embryology)

Prof. Isao Muraki (Institute of Medicine, Department of Public Health Medicine)

Poster Session
Prof. Minoru Yamada (Institute of Human Sciences)

Assoc. Prof. Hiroaki Murakami (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Modern German History)

Organized by: DWIH Tokyo

Co-organized by: Keio University, University of Cologne

Supported by: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Japan, Tokyo University of Science, University of Tsukuba