NAIST Global COE International Symposium 2011 "Achievements and Future"
The 7th Global COE International Symposium, on "Achievements and Future," was held on November 7-9, 2011 in Nara Prefecture New Public Hall.
This Symposium was organized by Professors Ko Shimamoto and Hisaji Maki, who are executive members of the GCOE Promotion Committee. Six eminent biologists each from the University of California, Davis (UCD) and the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Beijing (IGDB), one from Kyoto University and ten from the Graduate School of Biological Sciences, NAIST gave presentations on their current research.
A total of 695 participants attended the Symposium. This included 42 students from IGDB, UCD and NAIST, who had attended the preceding GCOE International Student Workshop and joined the Symposium to present their work in a poster session. Intensive discussions took place during the sessions and also at coffee breaks.
At a reception in the evening of the first day, opened by an inspiring speech from Professor Ken Burtis of UCD, the participants enjoyed scientific and cross-cultural interactions in a convivial atmosphere, with the attractions of a flute performance by Gagaku Court Music and Dance, and sake tasting by the Sake Makers Association.
In their closing remarks, Professors Yongbiao Xue (IGDB) and Carol Erickson (UCD) reviewed the international activities that have taken place between IGDB, UCD and NAIST under the GCOE program. A small gift as a token of appreciation was presented to each of the professors who have engaged with and supported the program during the last five years. The UCD and IGDB students from the Workshop were invited to the stage and introduced. This heartwarming closing ceremony was perfect for the finale.
