The 23rd Southeast Asia Network Forum, subtitled "Kyoto University; Frontier of Science, Technology and Innovation", was held in Singapore on 25 January 2026.
The forum is held in collaboration with local Kyoto University alumni associations, which comprise former international students and others with a connection to the University. This marks the 41st forum, including those held under its former title of the Southeast Asia Forum.
This edition of the forum was held as one of several commemorative events for the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations. It was co-hosted by the Singapore RAKUSEIKAI (Kyoto University alumni association in Singapore) and the Kyoto University ASEAN Center. Sixty-two people attended, including alumni, private sector employees, researchers, and students.
The forum began with addresses by Mr Toru Hotta, deputy chief of mission of the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, Dr Tetsuo Sawaragi, executive vice-president for international affairs, and Ms Tomoka Sakamaki, chairperson of the Singapore RAKUSEIKAI. In the special lectures, following the opening speeches, Dr Susumu Kitagawa, executive vice-president for research promotion and the 2025 Nobel laureate in chemistry, gave an online lecture titled "Creative Thinking and 'The Usefulness of the Useless'", which introduced the background to the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and the Nobel Prize ceremony. After that, Professor Kenji Osafune (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application) gave a presentation titled "Current status and future perspective of iPSC technology-based regenerative therapy and drug discovery", introducing examples of iPS cell application in regenerative medicine and drug discovery research. Each lecture was followed by questions from the audience. The forum was closed with speech by Professor Eiji Nawata, director of the ASEAN Center.
In addition, an alumni meeting was held prior to the forum to discuss the future development of alumni activities.
After the forum, a social gathering was held, and Dr Kyoko Inagaki, executive vice-president for alumni affairs, delivered opening remarks and proposed a toast. The social gathering provided participants with an opportunity to network and exchange opinions.
