UNL Agricultural English Training Program was held. (September 13-29, 2024)

From September 13 to 29, 2024, 9 students from KU participated in the UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Agricultural English Training Program. The program included a wide variety of activities such as an English Workshop to deepen cross-cultural understanding, Agricultural Science Seminars, tours of various departments, exchanges with UNL students at the Kawasaki Reading Room, and excursions. Students were also able to meet again with UNL students who participated in the KU Summer Program (July-August), leading to deeper cooperation between the UNL and KU.

English Workshop

In the morning workshops (11 sessions in total), participants learned, discussed, and gave presentations on various topics such as American ethnic and racial diversity, micro-aggressions, American values and beliefs, and American media and democracy. Many UNL students (including students taking Japanese language classes and KU Summer Program participants) volunteered to participate in the workshops, which provided a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each other's cultures.

Welcome Dinner

KU students, UNL students, and several workshop faculty members enjoyed dinner together at the Cather Dining Center.

Morrill Hall State Museum

At the natural history museum on campus, students enjoyed a variety of exhibits, including the world's largest mammoth fossil and wildlife dioramas.

Dinner Reception: Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences

At the Dinner Reception prepared by Dr. Shinya Takahashi (Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Department Chair, CEHS Academic Program Lead) and other faculty, staff, and students of the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences who participated in the KU's program in May 2024, participants enjoyed quizzes and games while savoring light bites of Nebraska specialties. The party was filled with fun and laughter, including a viewing of an original video created by compiling photos taken in Kobe.

College of Business Tour

Dr. Laurie A. Miller (Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum and Associate Professor of Practice in Economics), staff and graduate students introduced the College of Business, followed by a campus tour. In the second half, Dr. Samuel A. Nelson (Bauermeister Family Presidential Chair in Entrepreneurship, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Practice in Management) gave a lecture and led a lively discussion.

Food Science Lab Tour

Dr. Jennifer Auchtung (Assistant P Professor, Food Science and Technology) gave a tour of the lab and introduced some very interesting research and various activities in the lab, including the effects of kombucha tea on diabetic patients. Students actively engaged in a Q&A session, and some suggested that Kobe University students should conduct research on natto (fermented soybeans) and Japanese sake in this lab.

Arts-based Intercultural Exchange

Together with UNL students taking classes led by Dr. Theresa Catalano (Professor, Department of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, College of Education and Human Sciences), KU students learned about intercultural communication and art-based learning through theater and dance.. Working in groups, the students had the rare opportunity to explore and share migration stories, cultural traditions and the challenges of overcoming microaggressions.

Kawasaki Reading Room（川崎文庫）

We exchanged with Madoka Wayoro sensei (Kawasaki Reading Room Director)、Dr. Sangjin Ryu (Associate Professor, Mechanical & Materials Engineering ,College of Engineering)、Mr. Ashley Wallace (Business Education Abroad Coordinator, College of Business) and UNL students who participated in the Kobe University program in March, May, and July-August 2024 at the Kawasaki Reading Room. We had a great time sharing memories of our time at Kobe University.

Nebraska Gnotobiotic Mouse Program (NGMP)

The students toured The Nebraska Gnotobiotic Mouse Program (NGMP) that maintains multiple strains of germ-free mice in a state-of-the-art facility. Kobe University students were pleasantly surprised not only by the systems within the facility, but also by the dynamic and internationally recognized research program that combines the training in biomedical research with personal connections to agriculture and food.

Special Seminar (藤本龍准教授)

On the 23rd, Dr. Fujimoto (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University) gave a lecture titled “Genetic and epigenetic approaches to hybrid vigor, vernalization, and disease responsiveness in Brassicaceae”. Faculty members from “the Center for Plant Science Innovation” and “the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources” of UNL participated, and a lively research exchange took place.

VR goggles for the Metaverse

10 VR goggles for the Metaverse were lent to the UNL (Global Affairs: 6, Kawasaki Reading Room: 4) on 25^th by Dr. Yasuhito Shirai (Dean, Graduate School of Agricultural Science). Through events and seminars on the Kobe University Metaverse Campus utilizing VR space, we plan to further deepen collaboration with our overseas partner universities.