11th Kyoto University International Symposium

October 9-11, 2008

The 11th Kyoto University International Symposium (Kuis-11): Frontier Bioscience in Modern Medicine was held from October 9 to 11 on the campus of Fudan University, Shanghai. Kyoto University International Symposia have been held at various venues around the world since 2000. The aims of the International Symposia are to publicize Kyoto University's distinctive research achievements, and to contribute to the advancement of academic research on a global scale.

Approximately 700 people participated in the symposium over the course of the two days. In addition to scholars from Fudan University, the event's co-host, medical researchers, students and other scholars from many universities throughout China actively participated in the event, giving and attending presentations, and engaging in academic discussions. Participants included scholars from Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, the Fourth Military Medical University, Sichuan University, Huazhong Univerity of Science and Technology and Nanjing Medical University among others.

The symposium began with an opening reception, held at the Shanghai Hilton Hotel in the evening of October 9. The reception was compèred by Professor Nagahiro Minato, and began with an opening address by Kyoto University president, Dr. Hiroshi Matsumoto. Following President Matsumoto's opening address, further speeches were given by President Shenhong Wang of Fudan University and Professor Takashi Nakamura, Director of the Kyoto University Hospital. Following a toast led by Professor Masao Mitsuyama, dean of Kyoto University's Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine, the participants became acquainted with each other and listened to speeches by the presenters and participants from throughout China.

On the 10th, the venue shifted to the Reporting Hall of the Mingdao Building at the Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University. Professor Nagahiro Minato served as chairperson for the first session, which began with opening remarks by President Matsumoto and Vice-President Weiping Wang of Fudan University. In his address, President Matsumoto spoke about the increasing importance of international cooperation in the rapidly developing field of medical science, placing particular emphasis on the historical importance of cooperation with institutions in China, and the high expectations for future collaboration between China and Japan. The sessions featured a total of 21 presentations on topics such as to molecular biology and iPS cells by 17 of Kyoto University's leading medical science scholars (from the Graduate School of Medicine, Institute for Virus Research and Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences) and 4 scholars from Shanghai Medical College. The symposium was well attended, with many having to stand on the second day due to the auditorium being full to capacity.  Throughout the symposium the attendees engaged in productive question-and-answer sessions. The symposium also provided a good opportunity to raise Kyoto University's profile in China, as during the coffee breaks between sessions, an area was set up to provide information materials about Kyoto University and guidance for international students and researchers.

After the final presentation session, closing addresses were given by Professor Xiaoyuan Feng, dean of the Shanghai Medical College and Professor Toshio Yokoyama, Kyoto University vice-president and director-general of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations. The speakers mentioned the success of the symposium, offered their thanks to the organizers and participants, and expressed their hopes for the continuing development of academic cooperation between Fudan University and Kyoto University, as well as between China and Japan.

President Hiroshi Matsumoto

Vice-President Weiping Wang of Fudan University

The Reporting Hall auditorium of the Shanghai Medical College is filled to capacity on the second day of the symposium.

Symposium attendees engage in a lively discussion session