The tenth Kyoto University Tokyo Forum themed "Let's explore what you find Omoroi (interesting) -- The mystery of life" was held at the Palace Hotel Tokyo. There were 310 participants including Diet members, business leaders, and national agency officers, many of whom were KU alumni. From the university, President Juichi Yamagiwa, many of the executive vice-presidents, and deans attended.
Following opening remarks by President Yamagiwa, two lectures were delivered: "Deciphering conversations between plants and insects" by Professor Junji Takabayashi of the Center for Ecological Research; and "Planarians after planarians when cutting it again and again -- Frontiers in regeneration research" by Professor Kiyokazu Agata of the Graduate School of Science. In the subsequent panel discussion, President Yamagiwa, Professor Takabayashi, Professor Agata, and Professor Sakiko Yoshikawa of the Kokoro Research Center discussed what kind of research they find "interesting". This was followed by a reception, in which three guests of honor delivered their remarks: Mr Sadayuki Tsuchiya, Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; Mr Masayuki Oku, Chairman of the Board of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group; and Mr Naokazu Takemoto, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.
Prior to this Forum, the fourth general assembly of Kyoto University Kanae-Kai, a KU alumni organization consisting of business leaders who are dedicated to supporting the University's President, was held with some 60 people in attendance. The participants discussed how the University should develop into the future and the ways in which they could contribute to it.
The Tokyo Forum is not only aimed at publicizing Kyoto University's excellence in research to the Tokyo-area audience, but also at promoting networking among people who work in various fields but share ties with the University. Kyoto University is committed to continuing to provide these sorts of opportunities as part of an initiative to boost its presence in the wider society.
From left: President Yamagiwa delivering his remarks, Professor Takabayashi and Professor Agata delivering their lectures, and Professor Yoshikawa chairing the panel discussion
Guests of honor delivering their remarks; from the left: Mr Sadayuki Tsuchiya, Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; Mr Masayuki Oku, Chairman of the Board of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group; and Mr Naokazu Takemoto, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives
Lecture venue
Panel discussion
