On December 9, The Six National Universities International Education, Research System, headed by Okayama University’s Vice President for International Affairs SUZUKI Takayoshi, hosted a joint symposium online between Japan (Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, and Kumamoto University) and Taiwan (Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Taipei University, and National Taiwan Ocean University), in collaboration with SixERS and USTP, with the aim of promoting research exchanges and strengthening networks between the two consortiums.
　SixERS and USTP signed an international exchange agreement in June 2020. Last December, the first joint symposium was held online under the initiative of National Taipei University of Technology as the first cooperative project, and this time, as the second cooperative project, it was held under the initiative of Okayama University.
　At the beginning of the symposium, President MAKINO Hirofumi of Okayama University, on behalf of SixERS, gave the opening remarks, saying, "The COVID-19 pandemic has cast its dark shadow over international exchange among our researchers and students. It is our mission as universities to promote collaborative research, foster the talent of the next generation, and in doing so to contribute to a society of sustainability and wellbeing, and today's theme is truly timely,” and welcomed the participation of researchers and students from the 10 universities. Following the address by President Chen-Jai Lee of National Taipei University, Senior Vice President for Global Engagement Strategy YOKOI Atsufumi of Okayama University, gave a keynote speech titled “Toward Human and Planetary Well-being: Synergies between the SDGs and Climate Action.”
　At this symposium, 10 researchers from the member universities of SixERS and USTP participated as presenters, and were divided into two sessions: Global Health & Digital Transformation and Carbon Neutral & Local Initiatives, where presentations and opinion exchanges were conducted. From Okayama University, Professor HIRASAWA Akira of Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Academic and Research took the podium at the Global Health & Digital Transformation session and gave a presentation on the theme of “Cancer precision medicine”. The symposium was attended by about 100 pre-registered participants, including researchers and students from the two consortium member universities. They deepened their knowledge from various angle about important social issues that Japan and Taiwan face in common.
In addition, two students enrolled Global Human Resource Development (Mr. NOTOMI Yutaka, a fourth-year student at Faculty of Engineering, and Ms. SHIGE Hird Lisa, a second-year student at Medical School) served as moderators for the symposium.
Based on this exchange, our university and SixERS will continue to promote research and student exchanges between the two consortiums.

The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan (SixERS)
The Consortium was established in March 2013 for the purpose of further strengthening the functions of education, academic research, social contribution, etc., promoting the development of human resources who will lead the global society and advancing academic research while respecting their independence and self-reliance.
　
Six National Universities International Education, Research System
Established in The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan, this division promotes collaboration and cooperation in international activities among the six national universities. The division is headed by Okayama University’s Vice President for International Affairs SUZUKI Takayoshi.

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