The Kick-off Symposium for the Nagasaki University “Doctoral Programme for World-leading Innovation and Smart Education”[Japan-UK collaboration promoting global health] was held at Sakamoto Campus, Nagasaki University on March 9 and 10, 2019.
In addition to faculty and students from Nagasaki University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), there were more than 250 participants including professors and students from other universities, global health-related companies, and the general public.
On the opening day, an introductory address was given by Shigeru Kohno (President, Nagasaki University), followed with speeches by Sarah Wooten (British Consulate-General, Osaka), and Hiroki Hirano (MEXT). Then, Professor Koya Ariyoshi, the NU WISE Programme Coordinator, explained the outline and future vision for the programme.
Led by Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor at LSHTM and recipient of the First Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, thirty-five speakers from within Japan and overseas gave presentations on the theme of global health which were listened to enthusiastically by the audience.
In addition to the presentations, the Kick-off symposium included poster exhibitions and global health-related corporate exhibition booths. Participants could be seen actively exchanging information with the poster presenters and booth holders.
In the interval between the main event and the poster and corporate booth exhibitions, the Nagasaki University Yosakoi Circle “Toppu” performed a high energy Japanese dance, inviting participants from overseas to wear a happi coat, hold “Naruko”(hand clappers), and join in the dance! Everybody had a wonderful time.
The symposium, held over two days, concluded successfully. I am motivated by the thought that with all the staff, we can strengthen the NU WISE Programme, which has started in earnest.
It is my hope that this symposium will lead to the establishment of a new network for solving problems related to global health.
Thank you to everyone for coming to the venue and participating in the NU WISE Programme Kick-off Symposium.
