The Joint Seminar for students of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University (UGAS-EU) was held at the Ehime University Tarumi Campus, September 4–5, 2024.
The Joint Seminar, a required subject for UGAS-EU students, is a residential seminar conducted in English. The seminar included a lecture and group work to help students advance their research, and provided a forum for exchange between international students, Japanese students, and faculty members from the constituent universities (Ehime, Kagawa, and Kochi).
The first day of the seminar began with an orientation followed by self-introductions and a lecture by Professor Dennis Murphy on getting a scientific paper published. Students then proceeded with group work in their assigned groups, supported by their group advisor. The day was also a great opportunity for students to deepen their relationships with each other through cross-cultural experiences related to food, such as halal lunch boxes and Japanese meals.
On the second day, group presentations were held in the Active Learning Room of the Faculty of Agriculture Hall. The students presented the results of the discussion of their specified topics and related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The groups summed up their findings very well and gave their presentations with creativity and originality.
At the completion ceremony, Dean Takuya Sugahara gave a speech, bringing the two-day and one-night Joint Seminar to a close.
The students provided positive feedback, such as “It was a great opportunity to interact with people from other universities” and “I wasn’t confident in my English ability, but it was good to be able to communicate with them.” UGAS-EU will continue to support research activities by providing opportunities for such co-curricular activities between Japanese and international students.
＜The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University＞