TAOYAKA PROGRAM for creating a flexible, enduring, peaceful society　Organization of Program for Leading Graduate Schools

Conducted Onsite Training

Onsite training was held in India (Rajasthan) from August 12th to 17th. The purpose of the Onsite Training is to learn about the unique cultural characteristics of local communities and their approaches to overcoming technological challenges, as well as their attitudes toward acquiring with such challenges, through short-term stays in disadvantaged areas in Japan and abroad and the study of specific case studies.

This training was held jointly with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (Rajasthan, India). The theme of the training was “Forest-based entrepreneurship opportunities and forest in international carbon trading contributing to the livelihood upliftment of forest-dependent households in India” and a total of 10 students participated. Participants received online lectures from researchers and NGO staff who specialize in forest conservation and management in India, and the founders of start-up companies that contribute to securing employment for households and women whose livelihoods depend on forest resources, and to international carbon trading. In the training held at the BITS Pilani-Pilani campus, participants conducted an interview survey with forest management officials and local residents in the Khetri Bansyal Conservation Reserve area. The visit to the conservation reserve was carried out in cooperation with the local forestry department. The visit was covered in the local newspaper.
Based on these lectures and field surveys, students worked in group work and made presentations on the final day. After the presentation, the participants were awarded certificates of completion by Dr. Sudhirkumar Barai, Director of BITS Pilani (Pilani campus) in the closing ceremony.

With Forest Officers	Interview survey with local residents
Final Presentation	Conclusion Ceremoney

(Oct. 31th&Nov. 1st) One of our students will be featured on the NHK World Japan

One of the Taoyaka students, Mr. Thomas Michael Kloepfer will be featured on the  NHK World Japan.

Mr. Kloepfer has been managing organic farm beside academic activity, and it will be featured on the program.

Title:

Cultivating Land and Community 

Date and time:

Details:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/callhome/20221031/2087079/

Conducted an Onsite Training

We held an Onsite Training from August 22nd to 27th. The detailed report is posted on the Hiroshima University website. Please check that out.

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/news/73220

*This program was funded by the “International Youth Science Exchange Program (Sakura Science Program)” sponsored by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

The research effort by one of our alumni has been published on the HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY UPDATE

One of our alumni, Dr. Qu Meng, has been working at Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences as an assistant professor. The research effort by Prof. Qu has been published on the public relations magazine, HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY UPDATE (Spring 2022).

Prof. Qu’s research topics include socially engaged art festivals, relational aesthetics, creative in-migrants, sustainability, and rural revitalization. His current research aims at producing an interdisciplinary nexus on rural revitalization by focusing on creative tourism initiatives to revitalize communities in peripheral areas.

Please check out the magazine at the URL below.

(p. 12, “An aging Japanese island’s lessons on the future of sustainable travel”)

https://archive.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/koho_press/HiroshimaUniversityUpdate_202203.pdf

New Student Guidance (September 28) and Taoyaka Coffee Connect (October 5) were held.

Taoyaka Program for creating a flexible, enduring, peaceful society welcomed two new students in October 2021, and held a new student guidance session online on September 28.

Wang Jiahua (China)
(Five-year course) Master’s course in Division of Advanced Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
　
Cabrera Jonathan Salar (Philippines)
(Transfer student into 3rd year) Doctoral Course in Division of Advanced Science and Engineering of Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering

At the Taoyaka Coffee Connect on October 5, we welcomed Lovisa, a senior Taoyaka student, they introduced themselves to each other and their research projects. They also received advice from the senior student about their future life at Hiroshima University and interacted in a relaxing time. At the end of the session, they promised to meet again in Hiroshima.

Taoyaka Program Student, Mr.Yoshioka , Asssoc. Prof. Chikaraishi, and Program Coordinator Prof.Fujiwara were awarded as EASTS2021 Best Paper Award for Discovering interesting facts.

1^st year Master Student, Mr.Yoshioka Taisei (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Program), Assoc. Prof. Chikaraishi Makoto, and Program Coordinator Prof.Fujiwara Akimasa were awarded as EASTS2021 Best Paper Award for Discovering interesting facts　at The 14th International Conference of Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS).

Paper Title：Empirical Models of Consumer and Merchant Behavior in the Two-Sided Market of Local Currency (Award date: September 14, 2021)

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/adse/news/66801

Taoyaka’s Program Coordinator Prof.Fujiwara received the 2020 International Conference Invitation and Hosting Contribution Award (International Conference Invitation Category) as the chairperson of the 14th International Conference of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS).

The 14th International Conference of EASTS is scheduled to be held on September 12-15, 2021 in Hiroshima, Japan.

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/adse/news/63647

Alumni projects were adopted as Hiroshima University’s FY2021 Community Genki Support Project.

Qu Meng

Documentary Film Project for Revitalizing the Island Region

Zollet Simona

Development of Migration Experience Tour × Tobishima Life

Taoyaka Program completion ceremony was held

Taoyaka Program completion ceremony was held on March 23rd and 3 students were celebrated by their friends, faculty members and staff on their accomplishment and their completion of the program.
Professor Fujiwara, program coordinator, encouraged the graduating students to take an active role in the society as a global leader from now on. He also extended respect for them for the efforts and hard work they put in the program especially in this past year when their research activities were greatly affected by COVID-19.
We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.