Qdai-mail Tsushin #084
The e-mail magazine "Qdai-mail Tsushin" delivers campus news every month.
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Friday, January 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 University hosts RENKEI Climate Change/Energy Workshop 2024 - Net Zero by 2050 –
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The Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives (RENKEI) is an international consortium of 10 Japanese and UK universities that promotes academic exchange. RENKEI is currently in its second phase, focusing on the priority themes of climate change and health, with joint research projects actively underway.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/623
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* Kyushu University participated in "MIRAI Global Challenges Winter School" in Stockholm
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MIRAI is an international university consortium of 17 Japanese and Swedish universities, launched in 2017. In January 2024, it entered its third phase, with Kyushu University newly appointed as the Coordinating University of the Japanese side.
As part of this initiative, the "Global Challenges Winter School" was organized as the first in-person program for ECRs in the third phase.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/624
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* Kyushu University leadership and SIAG hold their first meet and greet party
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On December 4th, 2024, the first meet and greet party between Kyushu University leadership and SIAG was held at Ito Campus. This event is one of the initiatives under the "Proposal for the Internationalization of Kyushu University 2023."
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/621
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* Kyushu University hosts students from the University of Queensland
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From November 22 to December 6, 2024, the School of Engineering at Kyushu University hosted 20 students from the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. The students visited as part of the University of Queensland-Japan Program for Industry Experience (UQ-JPIE).
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/625
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**Features
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* The promise of DATA today
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Kyushu University's vision is to become a university that drives social change with integrative knowledge. One of the pillars for achieving this is the Data-Driven Innovation Initiative (DX Initiative). As the importance of leveraging data has increased in recent years, the DX Initiative aims to create mechanisms that enable the university to put integrative knowledge into practice across its departments using data. The ultimate goal is to propose a new ideal digital society.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/617
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* Developer of the Natural Language Interface behind Apple's Siri
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Babak Hodjat is known as the primary inventor of the natural language technology behind Apple's voice-controlled assistant, Siri. His unique approach to natural language interfaces enabled AIs to 'listen' to commands without needing to understand the entire language.
In 1997, under the guidance of Professor Emeritus Makoto Amamiya, Hodjat began publishing his groundbreaking works on a key aspect of that technology, called Adaptive Agent Oriented Software Architecture (AAOSA). This pivotal work laid the foundation for his startup, Dejima, which Hodjat founded with friends from Kyushu U. In 2012, he began a new venture with Sentient Investment Management, where he introduced the world's first AI-run hedge fund: a pioneering project utilizing the world's largest evolutionary AI.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/526
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**Research
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* Scientists uncover insights into neuron function by simultaneously measuring two key signals in living animals
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Researchers from Kyushu University, Japan, have developed a new method to simultaneously and non-invasively measure membrane voltage and calcium levels in the neurons of awake animals. This innovation revealed for the first time that changes in membrane voltage and intracellular calcium encode different information about a stimulus. These findings reveal fresh perspectives on how neurons process sensory information.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/319
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* Are we ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots?
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When a robot dog dances jazz, does it align with our ethical expectations? As AI rapidly advances, robots are becoming smarter and more human-like, presenting new ethical challenges. In a new book, scholars from Japan, Italy, the United States, and other countries examine the legal, policy, and regulatory issues surrounding human-robot interaction.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/318
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* Beyond 5G, accelerating the world of ultra-high-speed optical data transmission
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Kyushu University researchers have successfully developed a new ferroelectric optical modulator that can exhibited modulation of up to 170 Gbps—an operating 10 times higher than existing devices—and a transmission rate of more than 300 Gbps. This modulator was made thanks to a new method the team developed that allowed them to grow thin films of ferroelectric crystals on silicon substrates.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/320
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* Harnessing microwave flow reaction to convert biomass into useful sugars
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Researchers have developed a new process that uses microwave flow reaction and recyclable solid catalysts to efficiently hydrolyze polysaccharides into simple sugars. The developed device utilizes a continuous-flow hydrolysis process, where cellobiose is passed through a sulfonated carbon catalyst that is heated using microwaves, resulting in the efficient conversion of cellobiose to glucose.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/321
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**Events
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* 2025 I²CNER Annual Symposium
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Date: 2025.1.29 [Wed] 10:00 – 2025.1.30 [Thu] 18:20
The International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER), Kyushu University will host the 2025 I²CNER Annual Symposium on January 29th, 2025. In addition, I²CNER will be hosting the I²CNER Three Thrust Workshop and I²CNER-IMI Joint International Workshop on January 30, 2025.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/532
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* Kyushu University Energy Week 2025
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Date: 2025.1.27 [Mon] 10:00 – 2025.1.31 [Fri] 18:00
Kyushu University will host "Kyushu University Energy Week 2025" from January 27 to 31, 2025, under the theme "Energy Intelligence Beyond Borders: Future Innovative Energy Technologies Emerging from Research Seeds". Focusing on innovations in sustainable energy technologies and their implementation in society, this year's event will feature lectures by prominent speakers from Japan and abroad, as well as a variety of other events.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/533
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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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** Stay Connected
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https://www.instagram.com/kyushuuniversity/
https://www.youtube.com/user/KyushuUniv
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