NEW
Qdai-mail Tsushin #095
The e-mail magazine "Qdai-mail Tsushin" delivers campus news every month.
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Friday, December 26, 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 ranked 67th globally (2nd in Japan) in the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings
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On Thursday, November 20, Times Higher Education (THE), a British higher education magazine, released the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026. This year's ranking includes 911 universities from 94 countries and regions, with Kyushu University ranked 67th globally and 2nd nationally.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/669
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* Special Lecture by Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor Moungi G. Bawendi
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On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Kyushu University hosted a special lecture by Professor Moungi G. Bawendi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, at the Shiiki Hall on the Ito Campus.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/672
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* Kyushu University and Seoul National University hold the 5th Joint Symposium
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On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Kyushu University and Seoul National University (SNU), one of our high-priority partner institutions in South Korea, jointly hosted the 5th KYUSHU-SNU JOINT SYMPOSIUM in person at Kyushu University's Ito Campus.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/671
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* Kyushu University students join APRU's "SDG Education for Global Citizenship" Program
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Kyushu University students completed the "SDG Education for Global Citizenship (SDG4GC)" program, conducted within the framework of APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities), from June 2 to August 29, 2025. After a competitive internal selection process, three students represented the university, collaborating with peers from around the world to tackle global challenges through innovative solutions.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/674
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* Adachi and Managi: Two distinguished professors from Faculty of Engineering selected as Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025!
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Distinguished Professors Chihaya Adachi and Shunsuke Managi of Kyushu University's Faculty of Engineering were selected as Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, a global information services company. This recognition is based on Clarivate's unique analysis using its citation trend database.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/676
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* ITOCHU Corporation and Kyushu University Co-host Training Program for Omani Government Officials
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A delegation of Omani government officials participating in ITOCHU Corporation's Japan Training Program (IOLP) visited Kyushu University as part of their study tour. The program aims to provide insights into Japan's industrial policies and technological innovations, fostering leaders who will contribute to Oman's sustainable development.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/673
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* Strengthening Japan–Sweden academic ties: MIRAI Global Challenges Internship (Study Visit) Program held in Gothenburg
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From November 16 to 21, 2025, the MIRAI Global Challenges Internship (Study Visit) Program took place in Gothenburg, Sweden, bringing together 15 early-career researchers and doctoral students from 12 universities in Japan and Sweden. The program aimed to foster new perspectives for tackling global challenges by strengthening collaboration between academia and industry in both countries. Travel expenses for participants from Japan were partially supported by the Scandinavia–Japan Sasakawa Foundation.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/675
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* Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW": First-Ever Event in Türkiye
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On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Kyushu University held the "KYUDAI NOW Ankara" forum in Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Türkiye. Organized by the Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies (hereafter Q-AOS), this forum marked the second KYUDAI NOW event in the Middle East region following last year's forum in Egypt. The event was supported by the J-MENA Project of Kyushu University's Global Strategies Office, the Embassy of Japan in Türkiye, the Kyushu University Turkish Alumni Association (KUTAA), and the Turkish Japanese Universities Association. More than 100 participants from diverse backgrounds attended, including representatives of universities and research institutes in Türkiye, relevant ministries, industries, Kyushu University alumni, prospective students of Japanese universities, and their families.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/8318/
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**Research
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* How fast you can walk before hip surgery may determine how well you recover
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Total hip arthroplasty is a common treatment for hip osteoarthritis. However, clinicaloutcomes vary between patients, and the best timing for surgery remains unclear. Now,researchers at Kyushu University have identified that pre-surgery walking speed is a strong predictor of post-surgery outcomes. Reporting in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery,they found that patients who could walk at least 1.0 m/s before surgery were significantly more likely to report good postoperative results.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/361
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* Where do microplastics go once they sink into the ocean?
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Researchers have developed a new method to more accurately analyze small microplastics in the ocean. They collected seawater from 12 ocean layers across 4 regions in the North Pacific Ocean to find that the concentrations of small microplastics ranged from 1,000 to 10,000 particles per cubic meter of seawater. Additionally, small microplastics enter the ocean by either reaching near-neutral buoyancy to drift at specific depths or rapidly sink to the seafloor.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/362
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* From dots to lines: new database catalogs human gene types using ’ACTG’ rules
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Kyushu University researchers have created a novel "ACTG" naming system for human gene types, and launched the Joint Open Genome and Omics Platform 1.0 (JoGo 1.0), a global database cataloging 4.7 million gene types from more than 19,000 genes. Integrated with other public resources, the platform establishes a universal language for human gene types,empowering applications in fields such as disease research, drug development, andevolutionary biology.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/363
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*Discover the research
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* Mathematics for social change: small area estimation in action
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In statistics, data collection is a difficult process that demands thoughtful consideration. Securing a sufficient sample size can be challenging, or even impossible, regardless of the method employed. Small area estimation is a promising statistical technique that not only focuses on the target data but also incorporates data from related areas to improve mathematical accuracy.
We spoke with Masayo Hirose, a researcher specializing in small area estimation, who shared the unique appeal of this field, the future direction of her work, and the message she hopes to convey to students.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/research/information/discover-research/010_hirose
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**Notices
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* Associate Professor Takeshi Zendo and His Research Team Receive the 2025 "STI for SDGs" Award (Encouragement Prize)!
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The recipients of the 2025 "STI for SDGs" Award were announced on October 16, 2025. The research initiative "Development and Commercialization of a Safe Oral Care Product Using Nisin, a Bacteriocin Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria"-led by a team comprising Associate Professor Takeshi Zendo (Kyushu University), TRIFE Inc., and Yasashii Laboratory Inc.-was honored with the Encouragement Prize.
https://ag.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/news/topics/topics-associate-professor-takeshi-zendo-and-his-research-team-receive-the-2025-sti-for-sdgs-award-e/
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* The University Forest Joins the 30by30 Nature Symbiosis Forest Creation Project
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The University Forest has partnered with the Forest Culture Association to promote the international "30by30" goal, which aims to effectively conserve more than 30% of terrestrial and marine areas as healthy ecosystems by 2030. Together, we have launched a call for companies and organizations willing to support joint efforts in forest management and related activities.
https://ag.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/news/topics/the-university-forest-joins-the-30by30-nature-symbiosis-forest-creation-project/
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**Events
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* Kyushu University EU Centre Jean Monnet Seminar "EU Foreign Policy in times of Contestation"
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Date:2026.01.08 [Thu] 16:40 – 18:10
Kyushu University EU Centre welcomes Dr. Michael Reiterer, Former EU-Ambassador to the Republic of Korea,Distinguished Professor at Brussels School of Governance, as a lecturer for the Jean Monnet Seminar entitled "EU Foreign Policy in times of Contestation".
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/612
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* 2026 I²CNER Annual Symposium
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Date: 2026.01.26 [Mon] 09:30 – 2026.01.28 [Wed] 17:00
The International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER), Kyushu University will host the 2026 I²CNER Annual Symposium on January 26th, 2026, followed by two I²CNER Thrust Workshops on January 27th and the CESD Workshop on January 28th.Through the discussion and brainstorming in these symposiums and workshops, our aim is to identify the major obstacles and opportunities in the field. Moreover, we will assess where the Institute's research activities lie in terms of excellence, successful fusion, and interdisciplinary impact relative to our roadmap for a carbon-neutral society.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/611
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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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