The 3rd South Africa - Japan University Forum:Progress Report

By the Organizing Committee of SAJU Forum

I. FORUM BACKGROUND

The South Africa-Japan University (SAJU) Forum is a platform with the aim of providing a structured

framework for collaboration between the higher education institutions of the two countries.

Two conferences were previously held in 2007 and 2008 in Hiroshima and Cape Town, respectively, where

participants shared information about their universities and discussed perspectives on collaboration,

especially in the following strategic areas: health, environment, mathematics & science education, and

materials science.

The 3rd SAJU Forum adopted “Cooperation between South African and Japanese universities

towards achievement of SDGs” as its main theme, wherein representatives of universities consisting of

presidents and vice chancellors gathered and discussed possible academic contributions for solving local and

global issues to achieve SDGs by collaboration between the two countries.

Date: July 15 (Sat.) – 16 (Sun), 2017Venue: Plaza Heisei, Tokyo International Exchange Center

Tokyo Academic Park, 2-2-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8630 JapanOrganized by: The Organizing Committee of the SAJU Forum

Japanese Chief Secretariat: University of Tsukuba, Nagasaki UniversityJapanese members: Hokkaido University, Chiba University, Yokohama National University,

Niigata University, Hiroshima University, Kyushu UniversitySouth African Chief Secretariat: the Center for Japanese Studies, University of Pretoria

Co-organized by: The South African Embassy in JapanSponsored by

Japan: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), South Africa: Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Supported by :Japanese organizations: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology- Japan

(MEXT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), Japan Association of National Universities (JANU), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO),Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan-Africa Academic Network (JAAN)

South African organizations: Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Universities South Africa (USAf), and South African Technology Network (SATN)

Participants (see attached list):Japan: 25 universities, 7 organizations, 1 private company, 1 ministrySouth Africa: 21 universities, 5 organizations, 2 ministries

Attendance: 197 (July 15), 120 (July 16)

SAJU2007 2008

3 Cooperation between South African and Japanese universities towardsachievement of SDGs SDGs

29 7 15 -16

SAJU

Department of Science and Technology

AMEDJSPS

JASSOJICA

JAANDepartment of Higher Education and Training

Universities South Africa South African Technology Network

25 7 1 1

21 5 2

II. FORUM PARTICIPANTSParticipants from Japanese universities (in alphabetical order)

University Name of representative Title

1 Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology Mitsuhiro Maeda Professor, Director for Foreign Affairs

2Akita University Tokiyuki Sato

Vice President (International Strategy), Director of the International Exchange Center

3 Asahi University Katsuyuki Ohtomo President

4 Chiba University Makoto Watanabe Vice President for Education and International Affairs5 Hiroshima University Taiji Hotta Vice Executive

6 Hokkaido University Toyoharu Nawa President

7Kyoto University Masayoshi Shigeta

Deputy Executive Vice-President, International Affairs and Director, Center for African Area Studies

8 Kyushu University Koichiro Watanabe Vice President

9 Meikai University Toshikazu Yasui President

10 Nagaoka University of Technology Yoshiki Mikami

Executive Director, Vice President(International and Industry Relations)

11 Nagasaki University Shigeru Katamine President

12 Nagoya University Yoshihito Watanabe Trustee (International Affairs and Public Relations), Vice President13 Naruto University of

Education Takashi Matsuoka Vice President

14 Niigata University Sugata Takahashi President

15 Ritsumeikan University Hiroshi Ogasawara Professor, Vice Dean, College of Science and Engineering16 Ryukoku University Naohito Fujiwara Vice President

17 Saitama University Seiichiro Nakabayashi Vice President

18 Shibaura Institute of Technology Masahiro Inoue Vice President

19 Sophia University Miki Sugimura Vice President for Global Academic Affairs20 Tohoku University Toshiya Ueki Executive Vice President

21 Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Minoru Iwasaki Executive Director, Vice President

22 Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Tadashi Tokai Executive Director and Vice President

23 University of Tsukuba Kyosuke Nagata President

24 Yamaguchi University Ikufumi Tomimoto Advisor to the Vice President for International Cooperation25 Yokohama National University Yuichi Hasebe President

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Participants from Japanese organizations

Organization Name of representative Title

1 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

MEXT

Masanori Shinano Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau

2 Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

Yoshiko Shirokizawa Executive Director

3 Japan Association of National Universities (JANU)

Masato Kitani Managing Director

4 Japan Agency for Medical research and Development (AMED)

Yasutake Katoh Department of International Affairs

5 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Mariko Kobayashi Director

6 Japan Student Services Organization JASSO

Michiko Suzuki Director

7 Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan

Kaname Ikeda President

8 United Nations UniversityInstitute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

Masafumi Nagao Visiting Professor, Senior Program Advisor

9 Marubeni Corporation Mamoru Sekiyama Corporate Adviser

Participants from South African universities

University Name of representative Title

1 Cape Peninsula University of Technology René Pellissier Director

2 Central University of Technology, Free State Henk de Jager Vice-Chancellor

3 Durban University of Technology Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu Vice-Chancellor

4 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Andrew Leitch Deputy Vice-Chancellor

5 North-West University Frikkie van Niekerk Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research6 Rhodes University Peter Clayton Deputy Vice-Chancellor

7 Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Olalekan A Ayo-Yusuf Deputy Vice-Chancellor

8 Stellenbosch University Hester Klopper Deputy Vice-Chancellor

9 Tshwane University of Technology Lourens van Staden Vice-Chancellor

10 University of Cape Town Marilet Sienaert Executive Director Research Office11 University of Johannesburg Ihron Rensburg Vice-Chancellor

12 University of KwaZulu-Natal Albert van Jaarsveld Vice-Chancellor

13 University of Limpopo Nehemiah Mokgalong Vice-Chancellor

14 University of Mpumalanga Thokozile Valerie Mayekiso Vice-Chancellor

15 University of Pretoria Cheryl de la Rey Vice-Chancellor

16 University of South Africa Lessing Labuschagne Vice-Principal

17 University of the Free State Francis Petersen Vice-Chancellor

18 University of the Western Cape Pamela Dube Deputy Vice-Chancellor

19 University of the Witwatersrand Zeblon Vilakazi Deputy Vice-Chancellor

20 University of Zululand Xoliswa Mtose Vice-Chancellor

21 Vaal University of Technology Hendrik van der Merwe Operations Manager

Participants from South African organizations

Organization Name of representative Title

1Department of Science and Technology ( DST)

Daan du ToitDeputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources

2 Department of Higher Education and Training ( DHET )

Diane ParkerDeputy Director-General,

Universities

3 National Research Foundation ( NRF )

Aldo StroebelExecutive Director International Relations and Cooperation

4 Universities South Africa ( USAf )

Ahmed BawaChief Executive Officer

5 South African Technology Network ( SATN )

Anshu PadayacheeChief Executive Officer

6 Alliance for Collaboration on Climate & Earth Systems Science (ACCESS)

Neville Sweijd

Director

7 The South African Embassy in Japan

Eudy MabuzaMinister Counsellor

III. PROGRAM FOR THE FORUM

Day 1: Saturday, 15 July 2017

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

9:30 – 10:30 Registration

Opening Remarks

10:30 – 10:40 Venue: International Conference Hall

Prof Kyosuke Nagata

Prof Ahmed Bawa

President, University of Tsukuba

Chief Executive OfficerUniversities South Africa (USAf)

GUEST SPEECHES

10:40 – 11:40 Japan

South Africa

Japan

Japan

South Africa

JapanSouth Africa

Mr Masanori Shinano

Dr Diane Parker

Dr Yoshiko Shirokizawa

Dr Mariko Kobayashi

Dr Aldo Stroebel

Dr Sugata Takahashi

Message fromMinister Naledi Pandor

Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology- Japan MEXT

Deputy Director-General, Universities, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)

Executive Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

Director, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science JSPS

Executive DirectorInternational Relations and Cooperation, National Research Foundation (NRF)

Board member of JANU, President of Niigata University.

The Honourable Minister for Science and Technology (DST)

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

KEYNOTE LECTURES (1 - 4)

11:40 – 12:10 JapanKeynote Lecture 1:

Inter-university collaboration between Africa and Japan for achieving SDGs

Prof Masafumi Nagao

Chair: Prof Yuichi Hasebe

Professor, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, UnitedNations University

President, Yokohama National University

12:10 – 12:40 JapanKeynote Lecture 2:

Towards Further Cooperation among Academia, Government and Industry

Mr Mamoru Sekiyama

Chair: Dr Akira Ninomiya

Corporate Adviser, Marubeni Corporation

Professor Emeritus of Hiroshima University, former Japanese organizer of the 1st and 2nd SAJU Forums

,

12:40 – 14:00 LUNCH

14:00 – 14:30 South AfricaKeynote Lecture 3:

Sustainable Partnerships for Development: Japan and South Africa

Prof Cheryl de la Rey

Chair: Prof Albert van Jaarsveld

Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria, Chairperson of the Research and Innovation Strategy Group

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of KwaZulu-Natal

14:30 – 15:00 JapanKeynote Lecture 4:

Cooperation between South Africa and Japan toward achievement of SDGs by SATREPS

Dr Toshio Yamagata

Mr. Kaname Ikeda

Chair: Prof Makoto Watanabe

Emeritus Professor, the University of Tokyo

President, Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan

Vice-President of Chiba University

PARALLEL THEMATIC DISCUSSION SESSIONS

15:10 – 17:10 ENVIRONMENT and ENERGYParallel Thematic Session 1

Venue: International Conference Hall

Japan Chair: Prof Toyoharu Nawa

South Africa Chair: Prof Henk de Jager

President, Hokkaido University.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Central University of Technology, Free State

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

Presentation Prof Masahiro Okumura

Prof Frikkie van Niekerk

Prof Tokiyuki Sato

Prof Nehemiah Mokgalong

Prof Sugata Takahashi

Prof Madhusoodhan Satish-Kumar

Prof Lessing Labuschagne

Prof Seiichiro Nakabayashi

Prof Tshilidzi Marwala

Dr Sakiko Okayama

Dr Neville Sweijd

Prof Yuichi Hasebe

Prof Xiaohua Xia

Prof Hiroshi Ogasawara

Director/Africa Office in Lusaka, Hokkaido University

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Technology, North-West University

Vice President, Akita University

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Limpopo

President, Niigata University

Professor, Niigata University

Acting Vice-Principal Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation & Commercialisation, University of South Africa

Vice President (International Affairs), Saitama University

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, University of Johannesburg

Designated Assistant Professor, Organization for Higher Education Planning, Chiba University

Director, Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science(ACCESS)

President, Yokohama National University

Head: Centre for New Energy Studies, University of Pretoria

Professor, Vice Dean, College of Science and Engineering,Ritsumeikan University

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

15:10 – 17:10 HEALTHParallel Thematic Session 2

Venue: Media Hall

Japan Chair: Prof Shigeru Katamine

South Africa Chair: Prof Thoko Mayekiso

President , Nagasaki University

Vice-Chancellor and Principal,University of Mpumalanga

Presentation Prof Toshiya Ueki

Prof Tetsuya Kodama

Prof Hester Klopper

Prof Kyosuke Nagata

Prof Zeblon Vilakazi

Prof Kenji Hirayama

Prof Mike Sathekge

Prof Hiroshi Sakagami

Prof Olalekan A Ayo-Yusuf

Prof Mitsuo Iinuma

Prof Marilet Sienaert

Dr Yasutake Katoh

Executive Vice President,Tohoku University

Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Initiatives and Internationalisation,Stellenbosch University

President, University of Tsukuba

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Postgraduate Affairs, University of the Witwatersrand

Dean, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University

Head of Nuclear Medicine,University of Pretoria and Chair of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).

Professor, Meikai University

(M-RIO)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Sefako Makgatho University

Professor, School of Dentistry,Asahi University

Executive Director, Research Office, University of Cape Town

Japan Agency for Medical research and Development(AMED, as observer)

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

17:10– 17:30 Poster Session and Coffee BreakVenue: Main Foyer

17:30 – 17:45 Plenary session: Wrap up of thematic parallel sessions by respective chairpersonsVenue: International Conference Hall

17:50 Group Photo

19:00 - Reception Hosted by: The Department of Science and Technology, Republic of South AfricaVenue: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Hotel – Palaise Royal A, B1F

Day 2: Sunday, 16 July 2017Time: 09:00 – 12:40Venue: Tokyo International Exchange Center, Plaza Heisei

TIME DESCRIPTION PRESENTER/S DESIGNATION

KEYNOTE LECTURE

09:00 – 09:30 South AfricaKeynote Lecture 5:Venue: International Conference Hall

Innovation and entrepreneurship education for universities of technology in South Africa: creating an ecosystem for local and regional development.

Prof Thandwa Mthembu

Chair: Dr Aldo Stroebel

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Durban University of Technology

Executive DirectorInternational Relations and Cooperation, National Research Foundation (NRF)

PARALLEL THEMATIC DISCUSSION SESSIONS

09:40 – 11:40 EDUCATION, HUMANITY & SOCIETY

Parallel Thematic Session 3

Venue: International Conference Hall

Japan Chair: Prof Taiji Hotta

South Africa Chair:Prof Ihron Rensburg

Vice Executive, Hiroshima University

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Johannesburg

Presentation Prof Yoshiki Mikami

Prof Lessing Labuschagne

Prof Shinichi Takeuchi

Prof Vasu Reddy

Prof Shoko Yamada

Executive Director, Vice President, Nagaoka University of Technology

Acting Vice-Principal Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation & Commercialisation, University of South Africa

Director, African Studies Center , Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Dean, Faculty of Humanities,University of Pretoria

Professor, Graduate School of International Development,Nagoya University

Prof Maxi Schoeman

Prof Kazuhiro Yoshida

Prof Gideon de Wet

Prof Kensuke Chikamori

Prof Pamela Dube

Prof Mitsuhiro Maeda

Prof Cycil Hartell

Prof Masahiro Inoue

Prof René Pellissier

Prof Miki Sugimura

Prof Eri Yamazaki

Prof Lourens van Staden

Deputy Dean, Faculty of Humanities, University ofPretoria

Director, Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education, Hiroshima University

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, University of Zululand

Professor with special assignments, International Education, Naruto University of Education

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Development and Support, University of the Western Cape

Professor, Master Program of Innovation for Design and Engineering, Advanced Institute of IndustrialTechnology

Director, Centre for Japanese Studies, University of Pretoria

Vice President, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships , Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

Vice-Chancellor, Tshwane University of Technology

AGRICULTURE AND FOODParallel Thematic Session 4

Venue: Media Hall

Japan Chair: Prof Koichiro Watanabe

South Africa Chair: Prof Nehemiah Mokgalon

Vice President, Kyushu University

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Univeristy of Limpopo

Presentation Prof Tadashi Tokai

Prof Masayoshi Shigeta

Prof Phindile Esther Lukhele-Olorunju

Prof Koichiro Watanabe

Prof Yoshio Kawamura

Prof Lize Korsten

Executive Director and Vice President, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

Director, Center for African Area Studies / Deputy Executive Vice-President, International Affairs, Kyoto University

Director for Research Management, University of Mpumalanga

Vice President, Kyushu University

Fellow, Ryukoku University

Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria

11:55 – 12:10 Plenary session: Wrap up of parallel sessions by chairpersons of the respective sessionsVenue: International Conference Hall

12:10 – 12:25 Presentation of Joint Statement Venue: International Conference Hall

JapanCaroline F. Benton

South AfricaProf Cheryl de la Rey

Vice President, University of Tsukuba

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria and Chairperson of the RISG

12:25 – 12:40 Closing remarks JapanProf Shigeru Katamine

South AfricaProf Ahmed Bawa

President of Nagasaki University

Chief Executive Officer, USAf

13:30 -

Visit to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation: Miraikan

IV. OVERVIEW OF THE FORUM1. OPENING PLENARY SESSION

The SAJU forum started with the opening remarks of President Kyosuke Nagata of the University of

Tsukuba and Professor Ahmed Bawa, Chief Executive Officer of Universities South Africa (USAf), on behalf

of the SAJU Forum organizers. In his remarks, President Nagata noted the past contributions of Japanese

universities to sustainable development and “HITODUKURI (human resource development)” in Africa. He

also expressed his expectations for academic cooperation with South Africa to be the driving force for

Africa's development. Professor Bawa talked about the necessity and hopes of establishing a system of mutual

exchanges for students and young researchers through collaborations between South Africa and Japan to

nurture the next generation of globally-minded and technically-skilled human resources.

After the opening remarks, speeches

by guests followed. Mr. Masanori

Shinano, Deputy Director-General,

Science and Technology Policy

Bureau, Ministry of Education,

Culture, Sports, Science and

Technology (MEXT), stated that

Science, Technology and Innovation

(STI) is a key factor for achievement

of SDGs, and that the Japanese

government promotes cooperation on

STI through SATREPS (Science and

Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) projects. He also expressed his hopes for

both countries to lead and collaborate to achieve the SDGs. Dr. Diane Cecile Parker, Deputy Director-General

for Universities, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) pointed out that higher education

alongside STI is important to achieve SDGs, since close cooperation between research and education is

promoted. At the same time, she expects cooperation with Japanese universities, since internationalization of

the university is one of the pillars of South Africa’s science and technology policy. Dr. Yoshiko Shirokizawa,

Executive Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) emphasized the vital role of SATREPS

projects in the STI areas as Japan’s contribution to achieving SDGs. Meanwhile, Dr. Mariko Kobayashi,

Director, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science JSPS introduced its programs for international

research collaborations especially in supporting bottom-up collaborations proposed by individual researchers.

Dr. Aldo Stroebel, Executive Director, International Relations and Cooperation, National Research

Foundation (NRF) stated that the NRF was reconstructing its cooperative partnership with JSPS to promote

further research collaboration and he particularly indicated his strong interest in cooperating with JST to

introduce a new research support program similar to SATREPS into South Africa. Representing the Japan

Association of National Universities (JANU), President Sugata Takahashi of Niigata University and Board member of JANU, introduced the current framework of Japanese universities and the role and achievements of JANU.

The keynote lectures covered three topics from the Japanese speakers and two from the South Africans.

Professor Masafumi Nagao, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University,emphasized four points as tasks imposed on higher education institutions (HEIs) to achieve SDGs: their great responsibility as the knowledge sector to solve complex and wide-ranging problems, their efforts for innovation in basic science, their role indeveloping human resources has become crucial, and that they should take on the role of designing and constructing international public goods. He also introduced his studies on previous collaborative research projects between Japan and South Africa. Based on the results, he gave the following suggestions for future cooperation: facilitate trans-disciplinary approaches, use problem-oriented approach to reflect societal development concerns, consider the benefits to the next generation, and promote active participation and dissemination of outcomes to other African and Asian universities.

Mr. Mamoru Sekiyama, Corporate Adviser of Marubeni Corporation and former Chair of Africa-Japan Relations Committee of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (KEIZAI DOYUKAI), introduced the activities of the Africa-Japan Relations Committee, its achievements and recommendations. He suggestedtrans-sectional cooperation among industry, government and academia, increasing the presence of Japanese universities in Africa, and further governmental support for industry-government-academia cooperation towards solutions of issues in Africa, social development, and human resource development.

Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria revisited the outcomes of the previous SAJU forums and discussed the current state of universities in South Africa.She proposed that the SAJU Forum should play the role of bridging the multi-tiered collaborations between individual researchers, organizations and networks. She also pointed out that to realize sustainable success in

collaboration and exchange, it is important not to aim for a completely equal reciprocal exchange but for

realistic mutual exchanges considering the interests of both parties and social priorities. She added the

importance of continuous financial support.

Dr. Toshio Yamagata, Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo, and Mr. Kaname Ikeda, President,

Remote Sensing Technology Center (RESTEC) of Japan, shared their experiences in research collaboration

as well as their proposals for future collaborations between South Africa and Japan through SATREPS.

Professor Yamagata reported on the SATREPS project about regional weather prediction based on

observations of local phenomena such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole which have impact on global

climate and have

applications to

early warning of

infectious diseases

such as malaria. Mr.

Ikeda introduced

examples of the

application of remote sensing data by RESTEC and proposed some possible research fields for collaboration

between Japan and South Africa.

Lastly, Professor Thandwa Zizwe

Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal,

Durban University of Technology discussed

the current global position of science,

technology and innovation in South Africa.

He emphasized the importance of promoting

science, technology and innovation and

integrating the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship into education to solve unemployment, eliminate

social disparity, and to ensure economic development is in harmony with the environment. In particular, he

presented the significance of Quad Helix innovation which added “community” to the Triple Helix of

industry, government, and academia.

2. PARALLEL SESSIONS

Following the Keynote Lectures, participants were divided into four parallel thematic discussion

sessions: Environment and Energy; Health; Education, Humanity and Society; and, Agriculture and

Food.

Parallel Session 1: Environment and Energy

President Toyoharu Nawa of Hokkaido University and Professor Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and

Principal, Central University of Technology, Free State, chaired this session.

A. Panelists

Professor Masahiro Okumura, Director/Africa Office in Lusaka, Hokkaido University; Professor Tokiyuki

Sato, Vice President, Akita University; Professor Sugata Takahashi, President, and Professor Madhusoodhan

SATISH-KUMAR, Niigata University; Professor Seiichiro Nakabayashi, Vice President, Saitama

University; Professor Sakiko Okayama, Designated Assistant Professor, Organization for Higher Education

Planning, Chiba University; Professor Yuichi Hasebe, President, Yokohama National University; Professor

Hiroshi Ogasawara, Vice Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University; Professor

Frikkie van Niekerk, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, North-West University; Professor Nehemiah Mokgalong,

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Limpopo; Professor Diane Hildebrandt, Director of Material

and Process Synthesis Research Unit, University of

South Africa; Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Deputy Vice-

Chancellor, University of Johannesburg; Professor Xiaohua

Xia, Head of Centre for New Energy Studies, University of

Pretoria; and Dr. Neville Sweijd, Alliance for Collaboration

on Climate & Earth Systems Science.

B. Presentation topics

The panelists presented their universities’ experiences, perspectives, and related research and education

resources in the fields of environment and energy. They also introduced various initiatives undertaken by

their universities, such as the SATREPS projects on disaster prevention, post-disaster reconstruction and

water treatment; research projects on renewable energy and high capacity storage technology; and student-

led initiatives concerning campus environment management and energy saving.

C. Panel discussion

They talked about the impact of environment and energy-related issues on a wide range of stakeholders.

Furthermore, they explored the significance of establishing a network of stakeholders for more widespread

dissemination of research results.

Parallel Session 2: Health

President Shigeru Katamine of Nagasaki University and Professor Thoko Valerie Mayekiso, Vice-

Chancellor and Principal, University of Mpumalanga chaired this session.

A. Panelists

Professor Toshiya Ueki, Executive Vice President, and Professor Tetsuya Kodama, Tohoku University;

Professor Kyosuke Nagata, President, University of Tsukuba; Professor Kenji Hirayama, Dean, Institute of

Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University; Professor Hiroshi Sakagami, Meikai University; Professor Mitsuo

Iinuma, Asahi University; Dr. Yasutake Katoh, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development;

Professor Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Stellenbosch University; Professor Zeblon Vilakazi,

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand; Professor Mike Sathekge, Head of Nuclear

Medicine, University of Pretoria;

Professor Olalekan A Ayo-Yusuf, Deputy

Vice-Chancellor, Sefako Makgatho

Health Sciences University; and Professor

Marilet Sienaert, Executive Director,

Research Office, University of Cape Town.

B. Presentation topics

The panelists introduced their research and educational activities across a wide range of fields, including

infectious diseases, lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, dental health, mental health, public health, the aging

society, and social security systems.

C. Panel discussion

The panel discussion focused on topics regarding collaborative research between the two countries in the

cutting-edge field of medicine. Moreover, views were exchanged on the importance of trans-disciplinary

collaboration, such as e-wellness which involves the fields of engineering, information science, and human

and social sciences.

Parallel Session 3: Education, Humanity and Society

Professor Taiji Hotta, Vice Executive, Hiroshima University, and Professor Ihron Rensburg Vice-

Chancellor and Principal, University of Johannesburg, chaired this session.

A. Panelists

Professor Yoshiki Mikami, Vice President, Nagaoka University of Technology; Professor Shinichi

Takeuchi, Director, African Studies Center , Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; Professor Shoko Yamada,

Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University; Professor Kazuhiro Yoshida, Director,

Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education, Hiroshima University; Professor Kensuke

Chikamori, International Education, Naruto University of Education; Professor Mitsuhiro Maeda, Advanced

Institute of Industrial Technology; Professor Masahiro Inoue, Vice President, Shibaura Institute of

Technology; Professor Miki Sugimura, Vice President, and Professor Eri Yamazaki, Sophia University;

Professor Lessing Labuschagne, Vice-Principal, University of South Africa; Professor Vasu Reddy, Dean,

Faculty of Humanities,

University of Pretoria;

Professor Maxi Schoeman,

Deputy Dean, Faculty of

Humanities, University of

Pretoria; Professor Gideon

de Wet, Deputy Vice-

Chancellor, Research and

Innovation, University of

Zululand; Professor Pamela Dube, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Development and Support, University

of the Western Cape; Professor Cycil Hartell, Director, Centre for Japanese Studies, University of Pretoria;

Professor René Pellissier, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Cape Peninsula University of

Technology; and Professor Lourens van Staden, Vice-Chancellor, Tshwane University of Technology.

B. Presentation topics

The panelists presented a wide range of topics and activities covering the areas of education, humanities

and social sciences, which include: engineering education in their native language, influence of digital

devices on children, African studies, Japanese studies, Asian-African dialogue, gaps between education and

labor market needs, international relations/diplomacy, infant development, teacher training, education for

sustainable development, art in the recent global context, issues on middle income traps, utilization of

academia-industry collaboration, internships in education, and use of ICT in education, among others.

C. Panel discussion

Discussions focused on a roadmap for establishing strong partnership between the two countries. Hence,

the importance of comprehensive mutual understanding including languages, cultures, philosophy and

technologies, trans-disciplinary cooperation, and involvement of a wide range of stakeholders were

emphasized. As concrete actions, creation and implementation of cooperative research and education

programs and organization of an inter-university consortium were proposed.

Parallel Session 4: Agriculture and Food

Professor Koichiro Watanabe, Vice President, Kyushu University, and Professor Nehemiah Mokgalong,

Vice-Chancellor and Principal,

University of Limpopo, chaired

this session.

A. Panelists

Professor Tadashi Tokai,

Executive Director and Vice

President, Tokyo University of

Marine Science and Technology; Professor Masayoshi Shigeta, Director, Center for African Area Studies,

Kyoto University; Professor Koichiro Watanabe, Vice President, Kyushu University; Professor Yoshio

Kawamura, Fellow, Ryukoku University; Professor Phindile Esther Lukhele-Olorunju, Director for Research

Management, University of Mpumalanga; and Professor Lise Korsten, Department of Microbiology and

Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria.

B. Presentation topics

The panelists introduced their research and educational activities and resources in the fields of agriculture

and food, also including marine sciences (i.e., research on marine bioresources), regional agricultural

research, agricultural production and distribution, comparative study on the retail process, and agricultural

education from the “glocal” perspective.

C. Panel discussion

Discussions revolved on the current situation of research and education in South African universities in

the areas of fisheries and marine studies, as well as the possibility for collaboration in those fields. Also

discussed were consideration of the differences in cooperation between the universities and regions in both

countries, importance of the involvement of specialists in humanities and social sciences in the fields of

agriculture and food, and promotion of the participation of students and young scientists in international

collaborations.

Following the parallel sessions, the chairs shared summaries of their sessions at the plenary session.

3. FINAL PLENARY SESSION

The final session of the forum concluded with the presentation of the Joint Statement by Professor Caroline

F. Benton, Vice President of University of Tsukuba, and Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor of

University of Pretoria. With the approval of the participants, the Joint Statement expresses the necessity by

both the South African and Japanese parties of exerting their best efforts to promote the goals of the SAJU

Forum in a more effective and sustainable manner through concrete activities such as the establishment of

periodical joint seminars and university dialogs, acquisition of financial support for exchange and

cooperation, among others.

The closing remarks were given by President Shigeru Katamine of Nagasaki University and Professor

Ahmed Bawa, Chief Executive Officer of the Universities South Africa. Professor Katamine expressed his

hopes that the forum would be a trigger to motivate researcher and student exchanges between the two

countries through new

collaborative projects.

Professor Bawa, on the other

hand, stated that the forum was

a good opportunity to

understand each other and he

hoped it would promote the exchange of young people. He also expressed his strong willingness to hold the

4th SAJU Forum in South Africa.

The SAJU Forum is expected to promote continuous academic collaboration between Japan and South

Africa and to contribute to achieving SDGs, in addition to supporting the goals of the 6th African

Development Conference (TICAD VI) held in August 2016.

Ahmed Bawa

Bawa

STI

SDGs

(SATREPS) SDGs

Diane Cecile Parker STI

SDGs

(JST) SDGs

SATREPS

(JSPS)

JSPS

Aldo Stroebel (NRF)

JSPS JST SATREPS

(JANU) JANU

JANU

3 2

SDGs

4

Cheryl de la Rey University of Pretoria 1 2 SAJU

SAJU

SATREPS

(RESTEC)

SATREPS

RESTEC

Durban University of Technology Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu

Triple-Helix Quad-Helix

”Environment and Energy”, “Health”, “Education, Humanity and Society”,

“Agriculture and food” 4

“Environment and Energy” Central University of

Technology Henk de Jager

Madhusoodhan SATISH-KUMAR

Frikkie van Niekerk North-West University Nehemiah Mokgalong

University of Limpopo Diane Hildebrandt University of South Africa Tshilidzi Marwala

University of Johannesburg Xiaohua Xia University

of Pretoria, Centre for New Energy Studies

Neville Sweijd Alliance for Collaboration on

Climate & Earth Systems Science

SATREPS

“Health” Thokozile Valerie Mayekiso University of

Mpumalanga

Hester Klopper Stellenbosch University Zeblon Vilakazi

University of the Witwatersrand Mike Sathekge University of Pretoria Olalekan A Ayo-Yusuf

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Marilet Sienaert University of Cape Town

e-

“Education, Humanity and Society”

Ihron Rensburg University of

Johannesburg

Lessing Labuschagne University of South Africa Vasu Reddy University of Pretoria

Maxi Schoeman Gideon de Wet University of Zululand Pamela Dube

University of the Western Cape Cycil Hartell University of Pretoria, Centre for Japanese Studies

René Pellissier Cape Peninsula University of Technology Lourens van Staden

Tshwane University of Technology

ICT

“Agriculture and food” Nehemiah Mokgalong

University of Limpopo

Phindile

Esther Lukhele-Olorunju

University of Mpumalanga

Lise Korsten University of

Pretoria NRF/DST Centre of

Excellence in Food Security

Caroline F. Benton Cheryl de la Rey University

of Pretoria

Ahmed Bawa

Bawa

4

SAJU

SDGs 2016

8 6 TICAD VI

JOINT STATEMENTby the 3rd SAJU Forum on

“Cooperation between South African and Japanese Universities towards achievement of SDGs”

Tokyo, 16 July 2017

The 3rd South Africa-Japan University (SAJU) Forum held on 15 and 16 July 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, declares the following joint statement:

Recognise the need to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the area of Science, Technology and Innovation and Higher Education.

As such, the SAJU Forum aims to provide a structured framework for the collaboration between the higher education institutions of the two countries, and has the following goals are to:

increase mobility of researchers and students;increase joint research and development collaboration;establish exchange programs among universities; andinstitutionalize cooperation among universities between the two countries.

The Forum acknowledges the endorsements by the governments and agencies of the Republic of South Africa and Japan; who have provided support through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Higher Education (DHET), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), National Rsearch Foundation (NRF), Universities South Africa, South African Technology Network, the Japan Science and Technology Agecy (JST), Japan Association of National Universities (JANU), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan Agency for Medical research and Development (AMED), Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The significance of academic cooperation between Japan and Africa, including the Republic of South Africa, on topics of human resource development and science and technology has been previously emphasized. In the TICAD VI Nairobi Declaration on the occasion of the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) held in August 2016,

promoting science, technology and innovation” and “human resource development” were recognized as cross-cutting areas to utilize for solving various issues and to achieve concrete results. Therefore, SAJU aligns itself to the principles envisaged in the Nairobi Declaration.

The mutual partnership is also very important for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are goals not only for developing countries but for all countries over the

world. Global issues such as health, environment, food security, energy, social stability and sustainability should be solved together by concentrating our efforts. We, in academia, shall be able to contribute to the achievement of SDGs by ulitizing our accumulation of research results and wisdom and trasmitting them to the next generation through education and training.

Under these circumstances, we believe that the 3rd SAJU Forum was a timely and important platform to discuss measures for the promotion of academic exchange that would be of mutual interest.

In the Forum, we shared our experiences, ideas, perspectives and plans on academic activities and academia-industry-social cooperation in order to solve global challenges and achieve SDGs.

In conclusion, we agree to give our best efforts to promote the goals of the SAJU Forum in a more effective and sustainable manner. We propose the following course of action towardswhich the participating universities should strive and cooperate on:1. Establish periodically an opportunity such as joint academic seminars to share research

interests, achievements and perspectives and to discuss possibilities for collaboration; 2. Share information on funding programs to promote academic cooperation and joint projects,

such as the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), etc.;

3. Establish, share, and implement concrete programs and projects for academic exchange, human resource development, and cooperation with society, including the private sector,international organizations, NGOs, etc.;

4. Provide continuous opportunities for dialogue between South African and Japanese universities; and

5. Establish secretariats in South Africa and Japan to serve as nodal points for communication and coordination.

We believe that SAJU Forum was an excellent step forward towards achieving our goals.

3“Cooperation between South African and Japanese Universities toward achievement of

SDGs”2017 7 16

2017 7 15-16 3 SAJU

SAJU

2016 8 6TICAD VI

SDGs

3 SAJU

SDGs

SAJU

1.

2. SATREPSSARChI

3. NGO

4.5.

SAJU