From August 21 to 24, 2023, Zou Ruqiang, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE) at Peking University (PKU), led a delegation to Japan. They visited Waseda University, RIKEN, Nagoya University, Yokohama National University, and the University of Tokyo and met Du Kewei, Education Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan.
At Waseda University (Waseda), Zou Ruqiang had a friendly conversation with Yang Zhen, the head of the International Business Promotion Section of Waseda University’s International Office, and Zhou Yanquan, the International Business Promotion Section of Waseda University’s International Office. They visited Waseda’s main campus and the Waseda University History Museum. Yang Zhen introduced the deep connection and historical friendship between Waseda and China, especially with Peking University, and expressed the hope that both sides can communicate and cooperate in more fields, such as materials science research and student exchanges.
Zou Ruqiang and the delegation visited Waseda University.
At RIKEN, Professor TOKURA, the director of the Center for Emergent Matter Science, introduced the Center briefly. Professor AIDA from the Center for Emergent Matter Science gave a keynote report. Zou Ruqiang stated that this year is the International Strategic Year of Peking University, and SMSE will take this meeting as the start of their cooperation in various aspects, such as international student training, academic communication, and scientific research cooperation. Subsequently, the delegation visited the laboratory and electron microscopy equipment of the Center for Emergent Matter Science.
Zou Ruqiang and the delegation at RIKEN.
At Nagoya University, Professor MIYAZAKI, Dean of the School of Engineering, Professor ONOE, Deputy Research Director, and Professor NAKAMURA, Deputy Research Director, met with the delegation. Both sides introduced the development of their respective schools and conducted in-depth discussions on academic cooperation and student exchange. MIYAZAKI stated that Nagoya University and Peking University have a good foundation of cooperation. Since signing the strategic cooperation agreement in 2002, the exchange program has been progressing smoothly. Zou Ruqiang said that he looks forward to the substantive cooperation between the two universities in student exchange, summer schools, and joint doctoral training. After the symposium, the delegation also visited the Amano Center.
Zou Ruqiang and the delegation at Nagoya University.
At Yokohama National University, the delegation met with Professor OSAMU, the Dean of College of Engineering Science, Professor TATSUNORI, the Dean of School of Environment and Information Sciences, and relevant scholars. OSAMU stated that Yokohama National University has been cooperating with Chinese universities for a long time, recruiting 498 Chinese international students in the 2020-2021 academic year and making an important contribution to academic research work. Zou Ruqiang stated that SMSE encourages teachers to carry out joint doctoral training and short-term exchange based on their scientific research cooperation projects. He sincerely invited doctoral students from Yokohama National University to participate in the doctoral forum organized by SMSE to promote academic exchange and interaction among students.
Zou Ruqiang and the delegation at Yokohama National University.
At the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), the delegation met and communicated with Professor KUMADA, Vice Dean of the School of Engineering, Professor MARUYAMA of the School of Engineering, Professor IKUHARA of Electron Microscope Section, Professor SHIBATA, and others. They also visited the Electron Microscopy Labs at UTokyo. Professor MARUYAMA introduced the current development status of UTokyo and stated that the intercollegiate cooperation with Peking University has been very smooth. He also looked forward to substantive cooperation with SMSE in future academic research and student joint training. Zou Ruqiang stated that the cooperation between PKU and the UTokyo can be traced back to 1985. It had a long history and a strong foundation for cooperation. In the future, various collaborations between SMSE and the School of Engineering of UTokyo will be actively promoted to jointly promote disciplinary development and high-quality talent cultivation.
Zou Ruqiang and the delegation at University of Tokyo.
At the Education Department of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan, Counsellor Du Kewei warmly welcomed Zou Ruqiang and the delegation. Zou Ruqiang introduced the cooperation between SMSE and Japanese universities in materials study and shared the prospects of exchanges with Japan in the future. Du Kewei fully affirmed the broad development prospects of materials science and shared experiences and suggestions for cooperation with Japan from the perspective of cultural exchange. He expressed his full support for the exchange and cooperation between SMSE and Japanese universities and research institutions.
Zou Ruqiang and Du Kewei had a cordial communication.
The delegation of SMSE PKU’s visit to Japan is one of the important parts of the International Strategic Year of PKU. This trip has opened channels for communication between SMSE and top universities and research institutes in Japan, enhanced friendly relations between the two sides, and promoted the internationalization development of SMSE. It is believed that with joint efforts, both sides will promote the development of materials science and closer friendly cooperation between the two countries.
