The 3rd KULOS symposium was held on January 26 at the University of Washington Burke Museum in Seattle, USA.

The symposium was chaired by TANAKA Junko (executive director of the Americas Division and professor at the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies). It featured opening remarks by Executive Vice President NAKAMURA Tamotsu (director of the Institute for Promoting International Partnerships), and Associate Vice Provost Cecilia GIACHELLI. Afterwards, six speakers from the University of Washington, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and Kobe University gave presentations on their own research under the theme of “Brain Research for Well-Being.”

The symposium was attended by approximately 50 people from the University of Washington, local Japanese researchers’ associations, and local Japanese companies.

At the networking lunch held prior to the symposium, SUMI Junichi (chief consul of the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle) gave a speech, followed by an introduction of Kobe University by Nakamura, and an introduction of the “Inter-university exchange project” adopted in FY2023 by Dean SHIRAI Yasuhito (Graduate School of Agricultural Science). The participants deepened their understanding of Kobe University and engaged in mutual exchanges.

During their visit to the U.S., Nakamura, Tanaka, Shirai, and ISHII Hiroaki (director of Kobe University Liaison Office in Seattle and professor at the Graduate School of Agricultural Science) visited the vice provost of the University of Washington Mari OSTENDORF and the interim vice provost of the University of Washington Gayle CHRISTENSEN. They exchanged opinions mainly on the promotion of student and faculty exchanges between the University of Washington and Kobe University, and agreed to further invigorate exchanges among faculties and graduate schools.

?Kobe University entered into an inter-university academic exchange agreement with the University of Washington. We will continue to promote exchanges with the University of Washington and other educational and research institutions in North America while utilizing our office in Seattle.

(Global Engagement Division)