During the second day of the presence of the University of Life Sciences at the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, representatives of our university took part in two events organized by the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The meetings focused on international cooperation in higher education, academic exchange and the role of science and education in building international relations.

Dr. Marta Mendel, Vice-Rector for Internationalization, immediately after the meetings, said –

Panels organised by NAWA provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices in cooperation between Polish and Japanese universities. SGGW was among an elite group of three Polish academic institutions, along with the University of Warsaw and the AGH University of Science and Technology, which, together with partners from Japan, in the case of SGGW, it was Okayama University, had the opportunity to present current research projects and their results. The speech of SGGW representatives during the panel was quickly translated into concrete proposals to initiate new forms of cooperation and develop existing partnerships.

Research Projects, Teaching Cooperation, and Academic Exchange as a Tool of Public Diplomacy: Japan, Poland and the EU Perspective – Successes and Limitations

The Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Dr. Marta Mendel and Ewelina Belkiewicz from the International Relations Office of SGGW took part in a seminar entitled “Best practices in Polish-Japanese scientific cooperation”, organized by NAWA in cooperation with the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies and the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Warsaw University. The discussion covered both experiences in conducting joint research projects and the functioning of student and academic staff exchange programs. Participants also identified areas for further strengthening. These included joint research grants, double degrees and the development of cooperation involving the industrial sector. The seminar was also attended by Dr. Maria Mrówczyńska, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Educatio, representatives of Polish and Japanese universities and expert institutions cooperating under NAWA’s “Direct to EXPO” program.

Seminar “Studies and Research in Poland”

The second event with the participation of Dr. Marta Mendel was a meeting titled. “Studies and Research in Poland,” moderated by Dr. Łukasz Gołota, Deputy Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. The panel included representatives of the University of Warsaw and their Japanese partners, representatives of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow and the Shibaura Institute of Technology, as well as Prof. Yasuhiro Matsui of Okayama University, who, together with Dr. Marta Mendel represented the SGGW-Okayama University experience. The discussion was devoted to promoting Polish universities as attractive partners in education and research, as well as the opportunities offered by the Polish higher education system for students and scientists from Japan.

In her speech, the Vice-Rector for Internationalization cited examples of cooperation between Prof. H. Kalaji of SGGW’s Institute of Biology and Prof. Seiya Sato of Niigata University of Pharmacy and Medical and Life Sciences. This collaboration resulted in patent applications for an antiviral respirator made from moss and a plant-derived antiviral agent for use in chewing gum, beverages or mouth, throat and laryngeal rinses. Meanwhile, Prof. M. Vaverková of the Institute of Civil Engineering at SGGW and Prof. Yasuhiro Matsui of Okayama University jointly prepared 5 publications in modelling ethical consumption behaviour and reducing food waste. Dr. Marta Mendel, Prof. SGGW Vice-Rector for Internationalization, presented to the attendees the opportunities offered by SGGW to scientists interested in cooperation. The university uses its internal fund to cover scientific internships for doctoral students and researchers. On the other hand, external funding opportunities come from SGGW’s cooperation with Shibaura Institute of Technology within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA171 program.