Tohoku University: Executive Vice President Ueki Attends the Japan-Africa University Exchange Conference

The conference was an official side event of the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) in Tunisia. More than 20 presidents and vice presidents from Japanese and African universities participated online.

JST’s President Kazuhito Hashimoto kicked off the session, along with State Minister Yosei Ide, from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), University of Tsukuba, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology also delivered speeches.

After the lectures, JST introduced the Sakura Science Program, which aims to draw young people to Japan, to experience Japanese technology and promote exchanges. Subsequently, a declaration was approved. It encouraged enhancing this program and stressed the importance of exchanges among universities in Japan and Africa.

In the second session, each university split into two groups, introducing the university’s achievements and future perspective of international exchange between Japan and Africa. Executive Vice President Ueki showcased Tohoku University’s philosophy and the “Green Goals Initiative,” which aims to realize a green and resilient future. He also presented the joint research projects currently conducted by Tohoku University and African universities, along with initiatives to enhance collaboration with African alumni.