Seminar Report

An international exchange seminar entitled "International University Seminar between Japanese and Chinese Medical Students for Research Collaboration on Advanced Preventive Medicine" took place at Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine from July 25 - August 4, 2011. We were pleased to welcome 10 guests, 8 students and 2 faculty members, from Hebei Medical University, one of our long-term partner universities in China, to attend this seminar.

With the aim of further promoting research collaboration on comprehensive preventive medicine, lectures, seminars, student presentations, facility visits as well as various kinds of cultural exchange activities were organized and presented.

The keynote lecture was given by Professor Jiang Lingling from Hebei Medical University. Two special open lectures as well as a closing lecture on comprehensive preventive medicine were conducted by Shinshu faculty members. The visiting students were divided into 4 groups and received further research trainings at each designated department with other Japanese and foreign graduate students. All they learned at each department was shared with other groups at a knowledge sharing session by presentation and discussion. Each group visited other groups one by one and explained what they had learned, and answered questions from members of the other groups. As they repeated the process three times, their understanding of the subject was deepened.

The seminar period was intentionally chosen to coincide with a UN Conference on Peace and Disarmament Issues in Matsumoto, believing that peace, wellness, life, and harmonious coexistence among nature, animals and human beings must underpin the foundations of preventive medicine. All the students understood this special aim and they actively participated in all the programs including the ones local NPOs carried out publicly.

Due to a severe thunder storm in Beijing, the visiting group's arrival was delayed one and half a days. Nevertheless, all the participants absorbed everything we offered, thanks to their eagerness. We were able to conclude the program almost as scheduled. Feeling the result being more fruitful than expected, I, as an organizer and an international exchange coordinator, certainly hope that our international research collaboration will expand even further.　（MAKI　2011.08.31）