ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ

The 17th International Summer School was held from September 8 to 12, 2025, inviting faculty members and students from partner universities.

The Summer School has been held since 2008 with the aim of sharing knowledge and skills through a global perspective between students and young researchers from the Graduate School of Biosphere Science (prior to the current reorganized Graduate School.) and overseas universities, mainly those with international exchange agreements.

This year¡¯s summer school followed the previous format, which was inviting not only students but also their academic supervisors that would foster further opportunities towards implementing cooperative research. Also, on September 11th, the ¡°International Symposium on the UN¡¯s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)¡± was organized.

On the first day, 14 faculty members and students from five universities in three countries came together to participate in the summer school. 

During the welcome party, participants enjoyed lively international exchanges with ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ students over light refreshments in a friendly atmosphere. They also experienced Japanese culture by wearing yukata and taking commemorative photos.

At the briefing session presenting some opportunities for studying in Japan, Dr. Suzuki, Chairperson of the International Exchange Committee, introduced the university and explained about studying in Japan, followed by presentations made by government- and privately-funded international students studying at ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ concerning their own pursuits of overseas study experiences and the various challenges of daily life in Japan.

During the laboratory visits, the participants were divided into two groups, each led by a student tutor, and visited the laboratories of four programs: Integrative Hydrosphere Science Program, Applied Animal and Plant Science Program, Food Science Program and Molecular Agro-life Science Program, where they had the opportunity to hear about state-of-the-art facilities and their research activities.

On the second and third days, participants visited various laboratories to explore and discuss their specific scientific interests.

During these days, they engaged in 'Science Program Work' based on their fields of specialization and experienced cutting-edge science and technology through hands-on activities with their host faculty and ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ students.

On the fourth day, the summer school participants went on a company tour to Satake Corporation. There, the students learnt about social implementation in the field of agricultural science and learned how the company is actively employing foreign human resources to expand its business globally, which may have further motivated them to study overseas.

In the afternoon, the International Symposium on SDGs was held. Discussions were deepened through presentations and Q&A sessions by the five summer school invited faculty members and one ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ faculty member, focusing on how their research contributed to each of the 17 SDGs and what challenges they faced. Additionally, a poster session was held simultaneously, featuring research presentations by seven summer school invited students and seven graduate students from ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ, with 90 faculty members and students attending.

After the International Symposium, a farewell party was held, where the participants were presented with certificates and commemorative gifts by Dr. SHIMADA. A total of 38 participants, including faculty and student assistants, joined the party to bid farewell to the participants with the hope of further deepening exchanges into the future.

On the final day, a tour was conducted to learn about the history of Hiroshima.¡¡Through visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima Island, the participants were able to get a bird's eye view of Hiroshima's history and learned how the city has grown into a symbolic city that seeks peace, thereby adding to the significance of studying in Hiroshima.

< Comments from the summer school participants >

• The committee members were very efficient in making sure that everything ran smoothly and on time. I like how "convenience" was on top in this activity in terms of learning and comfort. I have enjoyed my stay and learned so much from the facilitators and lecturers. More power to the team and the University. I look forward to meeting everyone again in my future endeavor. Truly a great place to learn and further my studies.
• I like how the program was structured. It was a good balance of fun and learning. I just wish it was longer to have more time to explore Hiroshima and Japan's culture in general.
• The activities, program works, and tours were extremely fun and informative. I hope that next time the summer school will be longer to have more time for experiments in the laboratory. I learned a lot about the graduate school program and experiences of the graduate students.
• One-of-a-kind! I still couldn't fathom the feeling of being a participant there. The program was not only intellectually enriching but also personally inspiring. From the hands-on activities to the thoughtful discussions; every moment reinforced our passion for science education and community-based research.
• An excellent, well-curated program that flowed logically from laboratory visits to industry exposure and policy discussion. Hosting and logistics were smooth, the learning objectives were clear, and the mix of research, practice, and networking created real value. I especially appreciated the detailed lab demonstrations and opportunities to meet peers and faculty across institutions.
• The International Summer School was a wonderful and enriching experience. I gained valuable academic knowledge, cultural exchange, and unforgettable memories. For future programs, I suggest keeping the balance between lectures, practical visits, and cultural activities to maximize learning and interaction.
• The International Summer School and Symposium provided a valuable platform for academic exchange, cross-cultural understanding, and professional development. The program was well-structured, combining Lab conduct, Symposium, and field activities that enriched both theoretical knowledge and practical perspectives. We highly appreciated the diversity of speakers and the opportunity to network with experts from different institutions and countries. The supportive coordination team and welcoming environment also contributed significantly to the success of the program.