Kobe University

The 7th Kobe University Brussels European Centre Symposium was held

November 16, 2016

The 7th Kobe University Brussels European Centre Symposium “Emerging Sciences and a Changing World: EU-Japan in Transition” was held in Brussels, Belgium on November 8, 2016. Over 80 people attended the symposium, including Japanese and European officials, researchers, students and business representatives.

Moderated by Professor OGAWA Matsuto (Executive Vice President in Charge of Research and Industry-University Cooperation), the event opened with addresses from Professor TAKEDA Hiroshi (Kobe University President), Professor Caroline Pauwels (Rector, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), His Excellency Mr. Kazuo Kodama (Ambassador of Japan to the European Union), and Mr. Wolfgang Burtscher (Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission). Their opening speeches expressed hopes for further research collaboration between Japan and Europe.

The four breakout sessions were organized under the themes of data science, cultural diversity, migration and security, and particle physics. Japanese and European researchers presented the latest results of cutting-edge research and discussed future opportunities for collaboration. Participants listened with interest and held active debates during the question and answer sessions.

This year marked the first time that the symposium was held in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where the Brussels European Office is located. KUBEC relocated to the international office buildings in Vrije Universiteit Brussel in July 2015 in order to fulfil its role as a base for international collaboration in education and research between Japan and Europe, and to form closer ties with Belgian universities. This symposium is part of our initiative to strengthen collaboration with VUB.

The symposium, which provided an opportunity to exchange information on current topics and dealt with common issues shared by Japan and Europe, was positively received by both Japanese and Belgian officials. Using the Brussels European Office as our base, Kobe University will continue to strengthen collaboration in education and research between Japan and Europe.

(International Affairs Planning Division)

Professor TAKEDA Hiroshi (Kobe University President), Caroline Pauwels (Vrije University Brussels Rector)
His Excellency Mr. Kazuo Kodama (Ambassador of Japan to the European Union), Mr. Wolfgang Burtscher (Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission)
The 7th Kobe University Brussels European Centre Symposium