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7th EU-Japan Science Policy Forum "Nurturing Future Human Resources for STI

EU News 345/2016

27 October 2016

On Saturday 1 October, the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, in cooperation with Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), hosted the 7th EU-Japan Science Policy Forum at the Westin Miyako Hotel, in Kyoto, Japan.

The topic this year was on Nurturing Future Human Resources for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The event brought together just over 40 leading research policy makers, research funding presidents, university presidents, and industrialists, as well as around 40 observers, all of whom were from Europe and Japan.

The event takes place in the context of a deepening partnership of STI between the EU and Japan, which includes deepening our mutual understanding of our STI policies, as acknowledged by Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan, at the beginning of the event. This point was reaffirmed by Koji OMI, Chairman of the STS Forum, who saw the event as basis for developing cooperation in the future. Professor Atsushi SUNAMI, from GRIPS, recognised the importance of the event not only for deepening connections but also for encouraging frank and informal discussion.

The Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Moedas, Antonio Vicente, gave an update on future directions for the 9th Framework Programme, on the important role for excellent science, and building connections with other sections of society and with international partners. He noted the close alignment between the research priorities and agendas of Europe and Japan, which should facilitate closer cooperation between the two sides.

Paul Rübig, Chair of STOA in the European Parliament emphasised the importance of breaking down barriers and building bridges between sectors, institutions, and research fields. Professor Yuko Harayama, Executive Member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) in Japan's Cabinet Office, outlined key aspects of the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan for human resource development, and mentioned Society 5.0, which combines the digital and physical worlds, as well as noted the need for closer engagement between STI and society. Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President of the ERC, noted the situation for researchers in Europe, the importance of university-industry linkages, and important role of the programmes implemented by the ERC.

In what turned into a broad ranging series of presentations and discussions, other issues touched upon included entrepreneurship, diversity, public engagement, international research mobility, facilitating linkages between research and industry, pensions and dual careers, metrics, the duration of doctoral degrees, engagement with SMEs, nurturing talent in the global context, the need for professional research managers, innovative educational programmes, and training people in emerging key areas of research and technology.

Agenda

List of Participants

写真:フォーラムメインテーブル席。左から尾身幸次STSフォーラム理事長、ポール・ルビック欧州議会科学技術選択評価委員会委員長、原山優子内閣府科学技術イノベーション会議常勤議員、ヴィオレル・イスティチョアイア=ブドゥラ駐日EU大使、アントニオ・ビセンテ欧州委員会カルロス・モエダス研究・科学・イノベーション担当委員官房長、角南篤政策研究大学院大学副学長(撮影:トム・クチンスキ) The Head Table at the event, with Koji Omi, Paul Rübig, Yuko Harayama, Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Antonio Vicente, and Atsushi Sunami (L to R). Photo: Tom Kuczynski URL