NEW
Qdai-mail Tsushin #093
The e-mail magazine "Qdai-mail Tsushin" delivers campus news every month.
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Friday, October 24, 2025
Kyushu U's CONNECT Issue 6: Our annual English university magazine is available from the link below!
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/publicity/publications/connect
Kyushu U Connect: Keep up to date on how Kyushu U is engaging with society.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/connect/
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**Topics
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* Kyushu U students excelled in 14th International Japanese Debate Camp and Tournament
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The "International Japanese Debate Camp and Tournament" was held over five days from August 20-24. The purpose of this training camp course is to bring together overseas Japanese language learners and native Japanese speakers to develop debating skills and, at the same time, create international friendships. This year, marking its 14th year, the camp was held at Kyushu University's "Yama no Ie" training facility in the nature-rich town of Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture. Approximately 40 students and faculty from universities in East Asia (Japan, Korea, and Taiwan) participated in the five-day program.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/656
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* Kyushu University and Taiwanese Universities hold research workshop on UAAT–KOOU Project
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A workshop to advance international collaboration on spin-valleytronics research was held at Kyushu University's Ito Campus from June 9 to 11. The event brought together researchers from Kyushu and Taiwan, as part of a larger collaborative initiative between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) and the Kyushu-Okinawa Open University (KOOU) in Japan.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/657
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* Kyushu University holds joint electrophysics workshop with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
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On September 11, eight faculty members and three graduate students from the Department of Electrophysics at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), a leading institution in semiconductor research in Taiwan, visited Kyushu University's Ito Campus to participate in a joint workshop. The event focused on solid-state electronic physics and semiconductor properties related to next-generation electronics.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/659
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* Sustainable Design Camp 2025 held at Kyushu University
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From August 1 to 9, 2025, Kyushu University's Ito Campus hosted the Sustainable Design Camp 2025—an international urban design workshop that brought together 97 undergraduate and graduate students from nine universities across six countries and regions. Participating institutions included Kyushu University (Japan); University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA); Pusan National University and Chungbuk National University (South Korea); National University of Singapore (Singapore); National Ilan University and Chinese Culture University (Taiwan); and Tongji University and Tianjin University (China).
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/658
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* Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
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The Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" was held in Universiti Teknologi Malaysi, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, following its inaugural event in Kuala Lumpur in 2024. The event was held with the cooperation of the Kyushu University Malaysia Alumni Association and Campus Asia Plus. The forum aims to showcase Kyushu University's latest research across various disciplines, strengthen connections with its alumni, and build networks with international academia in both Malaysia and Japan. The event gathered approximately 200 participants, including Kyushu University alumni, individuals with study experience in Japan or aspirations to study there, and members of academia. This forum served as the first day of a three-day recurrent education program.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/7582/
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* Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Kyushu University held the Kyushu University Forum, 'KYUDAI NOW Ulaanbaatar,' at the Soyombo Hall of the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This forum aims to share our latest research achievements with local and international communities, promote academic exchange, and strengthen the bonds within our alumni network. This marked the second KYUDAI NOW event in Mongolia, drawing a crowd of nearly 100 participants, including alumni, former and prospective students, and academic affiliates.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/7698/
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* Kyushu University Commencement Fall 2025
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On September 25, 2025, the Kyushu University Commencement Fall 2025 was held at Shiiki Hall, Ito Campus. The University conferred degrees to 440 students, including 70 bachelor's degrees, 174 master's degrees, 4 professional degrees, and 192 doctoral degrees.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/663
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* Kyushu U ranked 301-350th in the THE World University Rankings 2026
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On Wednesday, October 9, Times Higher Education (THE), a British higher education magazine, released the THE World University Rankings 2026. This year's ranking includes 2,191 universities from 115 countries and regions, with Kyushu University maintaining its position from last year in the 301–350 range. It is tied for sixth place in Japan.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/665
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* Kyushu University students participate in Pusan National University Summer School 2025
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From August 3 to 22, 2025, three students from Kyushu University participated in the PNU Summer School 2025, hosted by Pusan National University (PNU) in Busan, South Korea.
This three-week intensive program was designed to encourage the participation of Japanese students, combining Korean language learning with field trips and cultural experiences. Kyushu University and Pusan National University have a university-wide bilateral agreement, and both are members of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). The program invitation was shared with Kyushu University through this international network, which led to the students' participation.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/664
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**Research
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* A new method to build more energy efficient information devices for a sustainable data future
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With the rapid spread of generative AI, the demand for more energy efficient methods of powering the hardware is becoming apparent. Now, researchers have succeeded in applying on-axis magnetron sputtering on thulium iron garnet (TmIG)—a promising material that can enable high-speed, low-power information rewriting at room temperature—to build more energy-efficient magnetic random-access memory.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/354
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* Researchers develop new indicators to detect loneliness risk in remote work
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Loneliness can be seen in a physical workplace, but remote work often hides the signs. To visualize communication and identify employees at risk in increasingly diverse work environments, researchers at Kyushu University analyzed workplace chat logs from platforms like Slack, and developed two new indicators—contribution to communication and strength of relationships between users. The team is now partnering with companies to explore wider practical applications.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/355
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* Manchurian walnut tree holds key to eco-friendly weed control
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In the search for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic herbicides, researchers from Kyushu University, Japan, have identified a potent, weed-inhibiting compound in the leaves of the Manchurian walnut tree (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.). The discovery of the compound, 2Zdecaprenol,and its unique mode of action on plants could lead to the development of more sustainable herbicides. The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/356
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**Notice
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* Professor John Kilner elected as new Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow
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At its annual general meeting on September 23, 2025, the Royal Academy of Engineering elected 74 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to its Fellowship.
Professor John Kilner from Kyushu University's International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I²CNER) and Imperial College London's Faculty of Engineering was among those elected as new Fellows.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/notices/view/515
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* Professor Fujikawa is awarded the 1st EXPO INNOVATION AWARD
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The RITE Forest of the Future Group, in which Professor Shigenori Fujikawa (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust) participated, is awarded the 1st EXPO INNOVATION AWARD "Expo Special Recognition Award for Cross-Sectoral Enlightenment."
The award ceremony took place during the Aichi Expo 20th Anniversary, which was held at the IG Arena on September 7, 2025.
For more information, please go to the RITE Future Forest official website.
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/future-index/green/dac_3/
https://i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/news/13561/
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**Event
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* Kyushu University Academic Festival & Homecoming Day 2025
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Date: 2025.11.01 [Sat] 10:00 – 14:00
Welcome back, alumni!
We're delighted to announce the Kyushu University Academic Festival & Homecoming Day 2025.
A variety of events will be held at the Ito Campus, including lectures (with English simultaneous interpretation available for online streaming) and networking gatherings for alumni.
On the same day, the university festival "Kyudaisai" will also take place.
We warmly invite you to visit the Ito Campus and experience the vibrant spirit and current activities of Kyushu University.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/583
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* KYUSHU-SNU JOINT SYMPOSIUM 2025
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Date: 2025.11.04 [Tue] 09:30 – 16:30
Kyushu University and Seoul National University will co-host the Joint Symposium 2025 with the aim of promoting international collaborative research for a sustainable future.
This year's theme is "Enhancing Our Well-being in Harmony with Nature."
The symposium will feature the sharing of cutting-edge research findings in the fields of environment, urban and rural development, and biodiversity, and will foster forward-looking discussions.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/588
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* IAS-FRIS Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design
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Date: 2025.11.05 [Wed] 15:00 – 2025.11.07 [Fri] 17:00
The symposium aims to discuss the use of AI ethics standardization in the governance of social robots, specifically examining the challenges to regulating AI-enabled technologies due to the inability of legislative processes to keep up with the rapid legislative process. In addition to examining the regulation of social robots, we also explore regulatory frameworks that rely on non-binding, flexible AI ethics standards to ensure stakeholders can manage the risks of ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) from the perspective of ethical design.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/586
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* 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kyushu University
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Date: 2025.11.07 [Fri] 13:00 – 16:00
Since its establishment in 1975, the Institute of Tropical Agriculture (ITA) has been engaged in education, research, and international collaboration on sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in tropical regions across Asia and Africa. Commemorating its 50th anniversary, this symposium—under the theme "Co-creating Sustainable Agriculture and Environment with Asia"—aims to reflect on ITA's five decades of achievements and explore new possibilities for co-creation and collaboration toward the next 50 years. Young researchers, alumni, and practitioners from Asia will present their work on sustainable agricultural production, community development, and agricultural recycling research.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/592
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* Virtual Study Abroad Fair 2025 Fall
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Date: 2025.11.07 [Fri] 16:00 – 18:00
Join our Virtual Study Abroad Fair!
This event is designed for prospective graduate students worldwide seeking English-taught degree programs. Discover our graduate programs fully conducted in English, explore scholarship opportunities and application processes, and hear inspiring testimonials from current students, alumni, and faculty members about their academic experiences and career success. This fair is being held as part of our annual ASIA WEEK celebration, but we warmly welcome participants from anywhere in the world.
Nine graduate schools from Kyushu University will introduce their international graduate courses and connect with you.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/591
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* Q-AOS Brown Bag Seminar Series
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Date: Every Wednesday 12:10 – 12:50
Every Wednesday during lunch, learn about research related to SDGs in Asian and Oceanian regions and expand your research network at the Q-AOS Brown Bag Seminar Series. The webinar is free, available in English and Japanese, and open to everyone!
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events?tag_id=2
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** Introduction to Alumni Platform "Kyudai PAL"(Free registration)
"Kyudai PAL" (abbreviated as KyuPAL) is a closed online platform where alumni and current students can easily connect with friends and the university
In addition to interacting with other members in communities organized by graduation department, industry, and club, members can receive news about the university and information about alumni events,send direct messages and participate in group chats with other users.
*Registration application, Kyudai PAL details here(Free registration)
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/graduate/kyupal
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** Stay Connected
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https://www.facebook.com/KyushuUniv.en/
https://x.com/KyushuUniv_en
https://www.instagram.com/kyushuuniversity/
https://www.youtube.com/user/KyushuUniv
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