On January 16, as part of the RECTOR program "International Research Hub Formation Project for Astrophysical Data Analysis," Professor KOMATSU Eiichiro, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA), Germany, currently staying at the Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology (Department of Physics, School of Science), engaged in an exchange of views on the support of female researchers with Professor TOMIOKA Kenji from Okayama University's Organization for Diversity Management, Gender Equality Office and Professor ISHINO Hirokazu, host professor in the Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology.

Professor Tomioka introduced Okayama University's initiatives for supporting, recruiting, and promoting female researchers. Director Komatsu provided information about MPA's efforts. Over the past decade, MPA has doubled the proportion of female researchers from 15% to 30%. In the field of astrophysics, where the number of female researchers is traditionally low, they discussed the strategies and efforts made during personnel recruitment to hire excellent female researchers. The exchange included discussions on not restricting the field　of expertise in recruitment, the presence of a Gender Equality Officer at the selection committee meetings, and other initiatives at MPA, providing valuable insights for further diversity promotion at Okayama University.