On 6 February, Kyoto University hosted the 2020 winter meeting of its Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP), held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of seven scholars attended to present on their research, contributions to society, and other efforts.
The gathering opened with an address from Professor Katsuichi Uchida, president of Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI), which runs AFLSP, expressing his expectations for Kyoto University's role in the program. He was followed by Professor Mamoru Kanzaki of the Graduate School of Agriculture, speaking as the AFLSP committee chairman, who reflected on the University's involvement in the program since 2014, which has included organizing annual meetings and various other activities.
In the presentation sessions — run by Dr Liang Zhao, associate professor at the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (GSAIS, or "Shishu-Kan"), and Dr Kai-Chun Chang, senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Engineering — the seven students reported on their accomplishments over the past year, presented their suggestions regarding the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and discussed their own efforts to contribute to society.
The presenters then received feedback from BXAI President Uchida and Professor Kanzaki.
The event concluded with two scholars receiving awards for superior initiatives and presentations.
The organizers hope that AFLSP will continue to facilitate Asian students' understanding of cultural diversity and development of leadership skills for years to come.
Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP)
AFLSP was established in 2014 by BXAI with the aim of providing young people in Asia with opportunities to study in other parts of the region, so as to help them deepen their understanding of different cultures while gaining the leadership skills needed to contribute to regional and global development.
The program currently accepts approximately 100 students each year to study at six partner universities in Japan and China. As one of the partner universities, KyotoU annually hosts approximately ten scholars, and sends three undergraduate or graduate students to study in China.
