On October 24, the Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS), led by Vice-President SUZUKI Takayoshi (in charge of international affairs and alumni), co-hosted a joint symposium on the campus of National Taiwan Ocean University, the host university for the event, in collaboration with the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan (Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, Kumamoto University) and the University System of Taipei (Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Taipei University, National Taiwan Ocean University). The symposium aimed to promote research exchange and strengthen the networks between the two consortia. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, connecting the venue with participants in Japan and Taiwan online, and many researchers and students gathered at the venue.

The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan and the University System of Taipei signed an international exchange agreement in June 2020. Since the first joint symposium was held online in December 2021 as the first cooperative project between two consortia, it has been conducted annually, marking its fourth iteration this year.

At the beginning of the symposium, following remarks by President Hsu Tai-Wen of National Taiwan Ocean University, Vice President SUZUKI Takayoshi welcomed the participation of researchers from the ten universities on behalf of the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan.

This symposium featured ten researchers from the member universities of the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan and the University System of Taipei as presenters, who engaged in presentations and discussions in two sessions: "Global Sustainability and Green Technologies" and "Future Trends in Healthcare and Biotechnology." From Okayama University, Professor FUTAMI Junichiro from the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems presented on the theme "Immune Monitoring & Profiling Technology for Precision Medicine" in the session on Future Trends in Healthcare and Biotechnology.

Building on the previous exchanges, both Okayama University and the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan will continue to promote international collaboration between the two consortia in the future.

○The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan
The Consortium was established in March 2013 for the purpose of further strengthening functions of education, academic research, social contribution, etc., and promoting human resource development and upgrading academic research to lead global society through cooperation among the six national universities, while respecting their independence and self-reliance.

○Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS)
An organization established within the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan to promote international collaboration and cooperation among the six national universities. Okayama University Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi serves as the director of the organization.