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Professor Sanae-I. ITOH received an honorary doctorate from University of Provence in France

On May 12, 2006 (local time), Professor Sanae-I. Itoh of the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics received an honorary doctorate from University of Province in France.

Professor Itoh specializes in "plasma physics and fusion science." Professor Itoh has taken part in the joint research with the researchers of University of Provence over the long term, which resulted in the conclusion of the exchange agreement between University of Provence and Kyushu University (as of April 8, 2005). Also, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) established by Japan, EU, USA, Russia,China, Korea and India is located near University of Provence, and ITER's future Director Ambassador Ikeda and Mr. Kobayashi, Consul General of Japan in Marseilles, attended the conferment ceremony.

Professor Itoh plans to invite researchers from University of Provence and offer an intensive course and student exchange every year. It is hoped that international exchange will be encouraged by the conferment and that Kyushu University will further enhance the base of plasma and fusion research.

Conferment ceremony (4th person from left is Professor Itoh)

Joint seminar was held at University of Bordeaux 1, France

Kyushu University and Bordeaux 1 University have been actively interacting through joint research, over the last quarter century since the conclusion of the academic exchange agreement in 1981. Bordeaux 1 University was the first university that Kyushu University concluded an international exchange agreement, which now includes more than 80 universities. Currently, Kyushu University has an exchange agreement with total of seven institutions - four universities in Bordeaux (University of Bordeaux 1, 2, 3 and 4) and three grandes ecoles (Ecole Nationale Superieure de chimie et de Physique de Bordeaux, Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Electronique, Informatique et Radiocommunications de Bordeaux, Ecole d'Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux).

On Wednesday, June 28, the "1st Bordeaux 1 University -Kyushu University Joint Seminar" was co-hosted by the two universities and held at Bordeaux 1 University. "Molecular and Materials Sciences," which both universities take pride in their high level of study and research exchange, was chosen for the subject of the first seminar, and more than 100 researchers and students attended the seminar.

Preceding the opening of the seminar, the presidents of the two universities expressed their goals. Mr. Alain Boudou, President of Bordeaux 1 University commented, "I hope that this seminar further strengthens the partnership that has been nurtured between the two universities." Mr.Tisato Kajiyama, President of Kyushu University, commented, "I hope that this seminar will provide opportunities for fruitful exchange and invite more exchange agreements in the future." Also, Mr. Jean-Marc Gauzere, Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux City (in charge of university education and exchange), expressed his expectation, "I hope that active exchange between the two universities and between Bordeaux and Fukuoka will be further promoted."

At the beginning of the seminar, Professor Philippe Bopp, Bordeaux 1 University, and Professor Toshihiko Nagamura, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University introduced the university systems in France and Japan and exchanged their opinions.

It was followed by the presentations by Professor Toshihiko Nagamura, Fumi Ariura who graduated from the School of Engineering, Kyushu University and now studies in the PhD program at Bordeaux 1 University, and Professor Tsutomu Katsuki, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, which concluded the morning session.

In the afternoon, Professor Nobuo Kimizuka, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Hiroshi Kitagawa, Faculty of Sciences, Professor Masahiro Irie (received honorary doctor from Bordeaux 1 University in December 2003), Faculty of Engineering from Kyushu University, Reiko Oda, IECB group leader, Doctor Corine Mathoniere, and Doctor Andre Del Guerzo from Bordeaux 1 University gave presentations on the latest molecular study and materials chemistry study respectively. Attendants actively asked questions after each presentation, which were followed by enthusiastic discussions.

Student exchange is scheduled this fall, in which one student from Bordeaux 1 University, three students from Bordeaux 3 University and one student from Bordeaux 4 University will study at Kyushu University. In the next year, it is planned that students from Kyushu University will be sent to Bordeaux.

The next joint seminar is planned to be held in Fukuoka.

Mr. Hugues Martin, Mayor of Bordeaux City, watching robots at the Kyushu University booth (left) and Mr. Hirotoshi Nakamoto, Vice Mayor of Fukuoka City (3rd from left)

Bordeaux Wine Festival, France -
Promotion of Kyushu Universty's attractions

Following the "1st Bordeaux 1 University - Kyushu University Joint Seminar" on Wednesday, June 28, "Bordeaux Wine Festival 2006" was held from June 29 to July 2 in Quinconces Place in Bordeaux City. The Bordeaux Wine Festival has a history of approximately 100 years and has been held every two years as a new city festival since 1998. Fukuoka City signed the sister city agreement with Bordeaux City in 1982 and was invited to Wine Festival 2006 as a special guest.

Kyushu University, located in Fukuoka City, concluded a cooperation agreement in 1981 with Bordeaux 1,2 and 3 University. Kyushu University has been closely working with the universities in Bordeaux City via research partnerships* since then and participated in the festival as a special guest group.

Wine Festival held in Quinconces Place in Bordeaux City [06/28~07/02]

At the Fukuoka pavilion, to which the largest space in the venue was assigned, local products of Kyushu and Okinawa such as tea, Japanese sweets, Chinese style noodle soup, Shochu and Awamori, and the latest studies at Kyushu University were introduced.

The Kyushu University booth presented information on the new Ito Campus, history of exchange between Kyushu University and universities in France, latest robotic technology and promoted Kyushu University's attractions to the citizens of Bordeaux and visitors from all over the world.

On stage in front of many visitors, a robot demonstration was made by Professor Motoji Yamamoto, Faculty of Engineering, and Mr. Aritsune Hiratsuka, a graduate student in the Graduate School of Engineering, which the audience watched intently and gave its applause.

* Currently, Kyushu University holds an exchange agreement with total of seven institutions - four universities in Bordeaux (University of Bordeaux 1, 2, 3 and 4) and three grandes ecoles (Ecole Nationale Superieure de chimie et de Physique de Bordeaux, Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Electronique, Informatique et Radiocommunications de Bordeaux, Ecole d'Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux).

Mr. Aritsune Hiratsuka, a graduate student in Graduate School of Engineering and the audience