On 4 September 2026, Kyoto University entered into an agreement with Taiwan’s Ministry of Education regarding the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. Designed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education to expand young talent’s international exposure and networks, the initiative now includes Kyoto University as a host institution. The signing ceremony took place in Taiwan, where Susumu Kitagawa, executive vice-president for research promotion, signed the agreement on behalf of Kyoto University.
Under the agreement, young Taiwanese participants will conduct research at Kyoto University for up to six months with support from the Ministry of Education, developing a global perspective. In 2027, the KyotoU program's inaugural year, four participants will join four laboratories specializing in materials chemistry, cell and life sciences, and biomedical sciences. These laboratories are headed by Professors Jun Suzuki and Shuhei Furukawa at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) and Professors Keizo Tomonaga and Takeshi Noda at the Institute for Life and Medical Sciences (LiMe).
Kyoto University hopes that participants will go on to apply the insights and experiences gained through their research activities in the program to their future research, educational, and societal endeavors on a global scale. It also anticipates that the initiative will foster long-term relationships with the participants, possibly leading to their enrollment in its graduate programs or collaboration with its researchers.
Kyoto University will continue to strengthen its partnership with Taiwan, contributing to international academic progress and talent development.
