University of the Highlands and Islands welcomes Japanese colleagues to Inverness
The University of the Highlands and Islands has strengthened its international links with a visit from a Japanese partner.
The university welcomed guests from the Tokyo University of Agriculture to Inverness this week.
Professor Yoichi Sakata, director of the Center for International Programs, and Professor Akihiro Shiomoto, Dean of the Graduate School of Bioindustry and Professor of the Department of Aquatic Bioscience, met members of the university’s management team and visited Inverness Campus.
The guests were also shown the facilities at Inverness College UHI’s Scottish School of Forestry in Balloch.
The aim of the visit was to strengthen links between the two universities.
The institutions signed an agreement to work together in 2017, committing to explore student and staff exchanges, to collaborate in teaching and research and to promote mutual understanding.
The partnership enabled two BSc (Hons) forest management students from Inverness College UHI to present at Tokyo University of Agriculture’s international student summit in 2018. Two more students will travel to Japan to attend this year’s conference in September and there are plans to create exchange opportunities for other students across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership.
Professor Crichton Lang, who takes up the role of University of the Highlands and Islands interim principal and vice-chancellor tomorrow, said: “We see much potential in working with Tokyo University of Agriculture. This latest visit has allowed us to reflect on the benefits to date and to explore exciting avenues of potential further collaboration across a range of academic areas.
“Following the visit, representatives from both institutions will continue to engage to bring these collaborations to fruition in areas such as forestry, environmental science, life sciences and innovative curriculum models.”
