お知らせ（News & Topics）

　本学と学術交流協定を締結している国立台湾師範大学と連携した短期派遣プログラムに、次世代事業プログラム生17名が2025年1月8日から18日まで参加し、研鑽と交流を深めました。この企画を主導していただいた国立台湾師範大学の宋蕙伶教授は、化学分野の研究に加え、進修推廣學院副院長や日台科學教育交流會理事長を務めておられます。本プログラムの実施に当たっては、本学の次世代研究者挑戦的研究事業が目指す「学際知ブルーミング」をグローバルな環境で展開するため、多彩なプログラムを本学事業担当と協働して準備していただきました。
　このプログラムには、自然科学、生命科学、応用工学、社会科学にまたがる幅広い専門分野に携わる7研究科・7国籍の博士後期課程・博士課程の学生が参加しました。全員が初対面という状況で、チーム内のコミュニケーションはすべて英語で行い、「内なる国際化」を体現する研修としてスタートしました。企画段階では、参加院生の専門分野や国籍の多様性を考慮し、宋教授の尽力により、RHIZOMEの主旨に完全に合致する幅広い内容が実現しました。

　プログラムの構成は以下の5点に集約されます：① 各分野をリードする台湾の研究機関や企業への訪問と意見交換、② 同世代の国立台湾師範大学の院生との研究室での交流、③ 建造環境や自然環境を対象とした野外フィールドワーク、④ 中国・台湾の地域社会や文化的基盤の学び、⑤ 英語でのプレゼンテーション能力やコミュニケーションスキルの向上、です。

①：中央研究院Academia Sinicaや台湾大学、国家衛生研究院など、台湾の主要研究機関で最先端の研究紹介を受け、討議の時間を持ちました。特に、博士号取得後のキャリア形成に直結するPD研究員の受け入れ体制は、院生たちの大きな関心を集めました。また、電子ペーパーで世界トップのE Ink社では、最新技術や社会実装についての質疑応答を通じて理解を深め、研究機関との連携が台湾の技術力を支えている背景を知る機会となりました。

国家衛生研究院の研究室にて質疑
Q&A session in a research lab at the National Health Research Institutes.

電子ぺーパーで有名なE ink社訪問
Visit to E Ink, a company renowned for electronic paper.

②：台湾師範大学の化学、生命科学、電子工学、ロボット工学の院生による実地実験の紹介や、AIセミナーでのプログラミング体験、ロボットによるミニバイク操作など、研究技術に関する議論が活発に行われました。

理学研究科化学教室の院生との交流
Exchange with Graduate Students from the Chemistry Department, Graduate School of Science

AI学際融合工学研究科におけるAIワークショップ
AI Workshop at the Graduate School of AI Interdisciplinary Applied Technology

③：ジオパークでの地形観察や、鉱産資源の歴史的意義を現代的な地域づくりに活かす取り組みや数々の歴史的建造物に触れ、台湾のユニークな自然環境、建造環境やその文化的背景を学ぶ機会を得ました。

台湾大学の歴史的建造物の前での集合写真
Group photo in front of a historic building at National Taiwan University.

鼻頭角岬にある旧軍事施設の再利用建物にて蘇地理学教授の説明を受ける
Receiving an explanation from Professor of Geography Su in a rehabilitated former military facility at Bitou Cape

④：中央研究院での歴史地理解説や故宮博物館、中正紀念堂、淡水の旧清朝英国領事館の訪問や、地域の信仰の中心にある関帝廟の見学などを通じて、中華文明の奥深さや複雑な歴史を学び、地政学的教養を深める場となりました。

ある漁村にある関帝廟の見学風景
Scene from a visit to a Guandi Temple in a fisherman’s village.

中央研究院内の胡適紀念館にて台湾大学名誉教授より説明を受ける
Receiving an explanation from an professor emeritus of National Taiwan University at the Hu Shih Memorial Hall in　Academia Sinica

⑤：英語でのプレゼンテーションスキル向上セミナーや、研究者の社会的アピールや政策形成手法を学ぶトークセッションに参加し、院生たちは異分野の見学や議論を通じて日常研究世界を超えたこういう機会でしか得られない体験をしました。また、異文化交流レクチャーや現地院生との夜市訪問などを通じて、参加者間でつながりを築く貴重な機会となりました。

ゲストハウス前にて集合写真
Group photo in front of the guesthouse

ワークショップで利用したゲストハウス建物内にあるセミナー室
Seminar room inside the guesthouse building, frequently used for workshops

　さらに、参加者の毎日のレポートに宋教授からのコメントを添えた冊子が最終日に学生へ返却され、参加者にとって忘れられない思い出となりました。ホストの台湾師範大学やプログラムチェアの宋教授への深い感謝を表すとともに、本プログラムのさらなる発展・国際力強化の加速に努めてまいります。

Implementation of the SPRING Initiative Taiwan Short-Term Program: RHIZOME Global Co-Creation Camp in Taiwan

　Seventeen participants from the SPRING Program took part in a short-term exchange program in collaboration with National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), with which our institution has an academic exchange agreement. The program was held from January 8 to January 18, 2025, providing an opportunity for participants to engage in intensive learning and exchange.

　This initiative was led by Professor Hui-Ling Sung of NTNU, who, in addition to her research in the field of chemistry, serves as Vice Dean of the Division of Continuing Education and as Chairperson of the Japan-Taiwan Science Education Exchange Association. To implement this program, she worked closely with our university’s project team to design a diverse set of activities that aligned with the Next-Generation Researcher Challenging Research Program’s goal of fostering “interdisciplinary knowledge blooming” in a global environment.

　The program brought together doctoral students from seven different graduate schools and seven nationalities, spanning fields such as natural sciences, life sciences, applied engineering, and social sciences. As all participants were meeting for the first time, all communication within teams was conducted in English, embodying the concept of “internal internationalization” from the outset. During the planning phase, Professor Sung played a crucial role in ensuring that the program’s content fully aligned with the principles of RHIZOME, taking into account the diverse academic backgrounds and nationalities of the participating students.

　The program was structured around the following five key components:

1.Visits to leading Taiwanese research institutions and companies, along with discussions and exchanges of ideas.
2.Research exchange in the laboratory with graduate students of the same generation at National Taiwan Normal University..
3.Fieldwork focusing on the built and natural environment.
4.Learning about the social and cultural foundations of China and Taiwan.
5.Enhancement of presentation and communication skills in English.

　1. Visits to Leading Research Institutions and Companies: 
Participants visited renowned research institutions, including Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University, and the National Health Research Institutes, where they were introduced to cutting-edge research and engaged in discussions. Notably, the postdoctoral researcher system at these institutions, which directly supports career development after earning a doctorate, garnered significant interest from the students. At E Ink, the global leader in electronic paper, participants gained insights into the latest technologies and their societal applications through a Q&A session. This visit also provided an opportunity to understand how collaboration with research institutions underpins Taiwan’s technological advancements.

　2. Academic Interactions: 
Graduate students from NTNU's departments of chemistry, life sciences, electronic engineering, and robotics shared their research through hands-on demonstrations. In an AI seminar, participants explored programming and experienced controlling mini robotic vehicles, fostering dynamic discussions on research techniques and methodologies.

　3. Fieldwork on Natural and Built Environments:
 Participants had the opportunity to observe geological features at a geopark, explore efforts to integrate the historical significance of mineral resources into modern regional development, and experience numerous historical buildings, gaining insights into Taiwan’s unique natural environment, built environment, and cultural background.

　4. Cultural and Historical Insights: 
Through historical and geographical explanations at Academia Sinica, visits to the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the former Qing-era British Consulate in Tamsui, as well as an exploration of the Guandi Temple, a center of local faith, the experience provided an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Chinese civilization's depth and complex history while enhancing our geopolitical literacy.

　5. Development of Presentation and Communication Skills: 
The program included seminars aimed at improving English presentation skills and sessions on enhancing researchers’ societal engagement and policy influence. Through these activities, the graduate students gained a rare opportunity to step beyond their daily research routines and experienceｄ an extraordinary, enriching academic and cultural environment. The program also provided participants with valuable opportunities to build connections through activities such as intercultural exchange lectures and visits to night markets with local graduate students.

　Additionally, on the final day, participants received a booklet containing their daily reports along with personalized comments from Professor Sung. This became an unforgettable keepsake for the participants. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to National Taiwan Normal University, our host institution, and to Professor Sung, the program chair. Moving forward, we are committed to further developing this program and accelerating efforts to strengthen its international impact.