The Production Systems Laboratory (Professor IKEDA Takashi) of the Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, dispatched three graduate students and staff to Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia from August 24 to 28, supported by the Graduate School Education Reform Support Program (Graduate School GP). During the visit, they participated in a joint workshop and facility tours.
QUT is one of the partner universities with which our university has maintained continuous exchange since signing an academic exchange agreement (MOU) in 2011. Professor IKEDA has made significant contributions to strengthening cooperation between the two universities, including playing a key role in the conclusion of the MOU, serving as an Adjunct Professor at QUT since 2011, and leading student delegations on two previous occasions.
During this dispatch, a joint workshop was held on-site. A first-year master’s student from our university presented research findings. Three faculty members, five graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers from QUT participated, resulting in an active discussion lasting approximately one hour, including a Q&A session. Additionally, two other graduate students from our university reported on the progress of their current experiments. The joint workshop initiative provided a meaningful opportunity for academic exchange.
Students from 10 different countries participated in the workshop. Bringing together participants with diverse backgrounds and exchanging opinions from different perspectives provided a significant stimulus for the attendees.
Following the workshop, a program was conducted to understand the research environment and initiatives, including a tour of the greenhouses on the QUT campus.
Learning and debating in an international setting is expected to provide valuable experience for future research activities.