HOME > YCU in the World > "APEC Japan 2010 in Yokohama - Academic Consortium International Symposium" held on the theme of "Aiming for Sustainable Cities - The New Role of Universities" in Pacifico Yokohama!
"APEC Japan 2010 in Yokohama - Academic Consortium International Symposium" held on the theme of "Aiming for Sustainable Cities - The New Role of Universities" in Pacifico Yokohama!
An "Academic Consortium International Symposium" was held in Pacifico Yokohama on August 8th, 2010. The Symposium featured keynote speeches by invited speakers as well as presentations by YCU teaching staff and students on the theme of "Aiming for Sustainable Cities - The New Role of Universities".
Keynote Speeches
In the first part of the Symposium, JICA Vice-President Kenzo Oshima and Hiroaki Suzuki, Lead Urban Specialist of the World Bank, gave keynote speeches. Mr. Oshima discussed the role to be played by universities in solving problems associated with urbanization, while Mr. Suzuki described methods of solving urban problems using the Eco2 program.
Explanation of Consortium activities
In the second part, YCU teaching staff gave presentations on "environment", "urban development" and "public health", themes considered particularly important among urban issues. They proposed ways in which universities can cooperate with university researchers in APEC member countries China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in solving problems. The presentations culminated in a lively discussion among the participants.
Presentation by the "INUS" study body
"INUS", an organization consisting mainly of YCU students, made presentations including a report on activities to date and a plan for future activities. INUS aims to form networks with students in Japan and abroad who are interested in international problems and building a sustainable society, and to provide human resources who can contribute to local and international communities in various fields. Overseas researchers and others listened intently and proposed that this should lead to student exchanges between universities on both sides, illustrating the significance of this Symposium in aiming for further internationalization in future.
