Representatives of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) joined the delegation led by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and are visiting Japan until 13 June.
One of the main goals of the visit was to participate in the Lithuania-Japan Science Forum, organized by Waseda University (Japan), the Research Council of Lithuania, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
Kauno kolegija HEI is represented by Director Dr Andrius Brusokas, Vice Director for Research and Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė, Head of the International Relations Unit Povilas Beseckas and researcher Dr Laimonas Kairiūkštis
‘Representatives of Lithuanian scientific and government institutions participated in this science diplomacy event, the results of completed joint Lithuanian and Japanese research projects were presented, and opportunities for new calls for joint research were announced. Another, no less important, part of the visit was a top-level meeting with Kauno kolegija HEI’s partners, Kanagawa University,’ says Head of the International Relations Unit P. Beseckas.
According to the college director, Dr. A Brusokas, strengthening ties with this university is a significant achievement for Kaunas kolegija HEI, as the cooperation agreement with this university was signed even before arriving in Japan, and the university president showed exceptional attention to the possibilities of broader cooperation.
Vice Director for Research and Development Dr I. Stravinskienė notes that this visit is extremely important in developing relations with Japan in the field of applied scientific research and experimental development.
‘In the field of robotics, Kauno kolegija HEI has already submitted a scientific application with researchers from Kanagawa University. We expect productive cooperation in the field of science both through scientific internships for researchers and through joint interdisciplinary scientific projects,’ says Dr I. Stravinskienė.
The meeting, held on 9 June, was attended by Ryusuke Toda, President of Kanagawa University, Makiko Shiraishi, Director of the International Department, and Satoshi Ohashi, former Director of the International Department and currently Director of the Kanagawa University Library.
‘This meeting was significant because cooperation with partners was moved to the level of strategic planning, foreseeing long-term directions for joint research, scientific projects and exchanges, and clarifying the most important areas in which this cooperation will be developed. The greatest achievement is in the field of robotics, which is why it has been singled out as a priority, but joint initiatives in the fields of cybersecurity, food technologies, linguistics and business will be no less important,’ adds Head of the International Relations Unit P. Beseckas.
Kauno kolegija HEI researcher Dr L. Kairiūkštis notes that a visit to Japanese universities can be strategically important for a researcher’s activities, both in terms of deepening knowledge, networking, and practical cooperation. This is an investment in long-term international visibility and research quality.
‘A visit provides an opportunity to establish direct contacts with Japanese scientists and research groups. This opens up opportunities for joint projects, international publications, and joint applications. Scientific research conducted in Japan is of a very high level. It creates an opportunity to see and use infrastructure that we do not have in Lithuania,’ shares Dr L. Kairiūkštis.
