Delegation of the European Union to Japan visited Okayama University

The members from the EU Delegation to Japan visited Okayama University and co-hosted an EU event on June 27th 2017. The visitors included Dr. Leo Karapiperis Minister-Counsellor, Head of Science and Technology Section, Tom Kuczynski S&T Section, Richard Kelner Press, Public and Cultural Affairs Section, Matthieu Py Euraxess Japan，Naomichi Yamada National Contact Point Horizon 2020 in Japan.

Dr. Karapiperis exchanged views with President Hirofumi Makino regarding European support for Research and Education. During the meeting, Dr. Karapiperis explained details about ‘The EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation’ (also known as Horizon 2020), which combines the strengths of researchers and facilities from a total of 39 countries in the EU and beyond, with the aim of promoting cooperative international research. The program also supports dispatching and receiving young researchers from around the world, with the goal of generating international research exchange. President Makino talked about the efforts of Okayama University to achieve an international profile based on its strong assets in research and education.

On the same day, the Okayama URA office held a full day EU event to strengthen relationships between European research and education and Japanese universities in collaboration with Delegation of the European Union to Japan, National Contact Point for Horizon 2020 in Japan, and EURAXESS Links Japan.

The delegates from Tokyo explained their missions and desire to strengthen relationships between European research and education and Japanese universities. In the meeting, recent projects and proposals of Okayama University in the field of H2020 and ERASMUS were presented. At the end of the meeting six masters students currently performing research internships and a Japanese ERASMUS student gave a short summary of their experiences at Okayama University and Europe.

At the end of the event, an individual consultation session was organized. Approximately 16 applicants were welcomed and they all received detailed information from the EU delegation members. The visit and the related event were attended by a large audience. More than 80 attendees followed the presentations all over the meeting.

Further information
Okayama University (English page)
http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/news/index_id6916.html