Nov 13 2017

Niigata University, a comprehensive university rooted in the local community, established the Network for Education and Research on East Asian Rim (EARNet), serving as a base for the East Asian Rim. A Commemorative Symposium for launching the Network for Education and Research on East Asian Rim (EARNet) was held on Saturday, October 21 at Art Hotel Niigata Station with over 100 people participating, including Niigata University officials and people from the community and around Japan.

In this symposium, Yuki Konagaya, director of the National Institutes for the Humanities (Inter-University Research Institute Corporation), gave a keynote speech entitled "Roles Expected for National Universities in Japan for the Development of East Asia." Then reports were presented on the achievements and activities of the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Natural Science and Technology, and Medicine and Dentistry; a panel discussion with five panelists invited from outside the university followed. In the panel discussion, they discussed the prospects and direction of the reported three academic divisions from the viewpoint of coordination and cooperation with our university. Finally, participants at the venue asked questions and contributed their opinions.

An information exchange meeting was held after the symposium. Many additional research projects on the East Asian Rim were introduced in a poster session. The participants keenly asked questions about each research project.

Our Network promotes social contribution by connecting Niigata University with the community, Japan and the world, focusing on educational research activities concerning the areas spreading from Niigata to the Sea of Japan part of eastern Japan as well as Russia, South Korea, China, Mongolia and surrounding areas. This symposium was an important first step towards the university's new approach.

Questions and answers at the panel discussion

Information exchange