January 7–8, 2010
Kyoto University (KU) President Hiroshi Matsumoto attended the 5th Kyoto University Southeast Asia Forum "The Earth and Space Sciences" held at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). The Forum was also attended by other KU staff members, such as the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) Director Kosuke Mizuno, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH) Director Shuichi Kawai (via remote conferencing), Professor James Jiro Mori of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Associate Professor Hiroyuki Yamamoto of the Center for Integrated Area Studies, Associate Professor Masaaki Okamoto of CSEAS, and Program-Specific Assistant Professor Shuhei Kimura of CSEAS.
The Forum held in Indonesia was organized mainly by Himpunan Alumni Kyoto University (HAKU), a KU alumni association in Indonesia. Following the Forums held in Jakarta (2007) and Bogor (2008), this year marked the Forum's third anniversary in Indonesia. This year's Forum, held with cooperation of both KU and ITB, drew the attendance of more than 150 persons and was very successful.
KU President Matsumoto delivered an opening speech saying that, with consideration given to the present earth environment, survivability was more important than sustainability. His speech indicated an important direction, calling for Forum participants to reconsider conventional frameworks of thinking.
On the evening of the Symposium's first day, a dinner party was held by HAKU. At the party, students of the Japanese Culture Club of ITB performed a Japanese Bon Festival dance. KU President Matsumoto and other KU staff members joined in the welcome dance, making the party even friendlier.
 KU President Matsumoto (left) and ITB President (right) |
 KU President Matsumoto with students of Japanese Culture Club |