Prof. Ivan Ortega and President Yamaguchi at the opening of UNAM-SU Forum

The forum was finalized by Vice-president Nakabayashi’s closing remarks.

From March 3rd to 6th, 2016, delegates from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) visited SU in order to deepen our inter-university partnership. UNAM is a university that represents the country of Mexico with 350,000 students. Their graduates include several former presidents, and the campus has facilities that are registered as World Heritage.

Our partnership was initiated by the sister-state agreement between the State of Mexico and Saitama Prefecture and the participation in the Japan-Mexico University President Summit by President Yamaguchi of SU. This UNAM-SU Forum was initiated by Vice-president Nakabayashi in charge of International Affairs based on his research partnership with Dr. Iván Ortega Blake, former Director of UNAM’s Institute of Physical Science.

On March 3rd, we welcomed the delegates at an international lunch that included SU faculty, graduate students, visiting scholars from India and Bulgaria. Led by Dr. Nakamura, SU Graduate School of Science and Engineering, they moved onto a laboratory tour. First, they visited Dr. Nakamura’s (Mechanical Engineering) laboratory that performed “application of mechanical engineering to vegetation and sensation research.” After that, Dr. Kawamura / Dr. Loukanov’s laboratory (Bio Physical Chemistry) explained their research on “macromolecules and the assemblies with enhanced physical property as biomaterial.” Finally, Dr. Moriyasu / Dr. Sakata’s laboratory (Biological Control System) explained their research entitled“Endocrine Control of Gastrointestinal Motility.”

On March 4th, we had UNAM-SU Forum with the opening presentation by Prof. Ortega for the introduction of UNAM, followed by the welcome remarks by President Yamaguchi and Prof. Nagasawa who briefly explained SU’s recent activities on research and internationalization. The purpose of this forum was to deepen our understanding of both universities for future collaboration in both humanities and science. Professors from both universities presented summaries of their departments and programs together with their recent research activities as listed below:

・Dr. Iván Ortega:“Molecular design of ionophoretic antibiotics”

・Dr. Maximino Aldana: “Epigenetic inheritance of antibiotic resistance in bacteria: a stochastic approach”

・Dr. Ricardo Yañez:“UAT-UNAM Unidad de Alta Tecnología (High Technology Center)”

・Dr. Alejandro Ramirez-Reivich:“International and Multidisciplinary Experiences at The Graduate Program”

・Dr. Hiroshi Yoshikawa: “Physical Studies of Cell Adhesion for the Regulation of Cell Migration and Tissue Formation”

・Dr. Samreth Sovannroeun:“Currency Substitution in Cambodia”

・Dr. Carlos Uscanga Prieto:“Academic exchange between Mexico and Japan: A historical retrospective”

・Dr. Hugo Alejandro Concha Cantú: “Possibilities of UNAM-SU prospective collaboration”      

The forum was finalized by Vice-president Nakabayashi’s closing remarks. During their stay, the delegates experienced a field trip to the Tokyo area as well as Japanese tea ceremony in Japanese kimono.    

Discussion after the forum: Prof. Ortega, Prof. Yoshikawa and Prof. Kobayashi

Dr. Hugo Alejandro Concha Cantú on “Possibilities of UNAM-SU prospective collaboration”

Dr. Kawamura explained their research on “macromolecules and the assemblies with enhanced physical property as biomaterial.”

Prof. Kobayashi explains his research activities to the delegates.

Prof. Nagasawa explained SU’s recent activities on internationalization

Dr. Maximino Aldana presents “Epigenetic inheritance of antibiotic resistance in bacteria: a stochastic approach”

The forum was held at the Large Conference Room in Faculty of Liberal Arts Building.

Dr. Ivan Ortega at the laboratory tour

Dr. Loukanov’s laboratory (Bio Physical Chemistry) welcomes the delegates.