Sakura Science Plan Visiting Students Pay a Courtesy Visit to Mr. Hagiuda Koichi, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) during Their UEC Visit

With the implementation of the Sakura Science Plan supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, a group of ten visiting students and one supervisor from King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) in Thailand, one of our prestigious partner universities, was invited to our campus for 7 days between October 20 and October 26 to conduct research exchanges, tour laboratories, engage in student interaction, give a presentation at the symposium, and explore the Japanese culture.

During their visit, they were commemorated as the 30,000th visiting students and had the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to Mr. Hagiuda Koichi, the minister of MEXT on October 23, 2019. One KMUTNB student told Mr. Hagiuda, "I look forward to seeing what advanced technology is being explored at Japanese universities and how students are working in the research field." Another said, "I hope to return and study at Japanese universities as an international student in the future." Responding to these motivated comments, Mr. Hagiuda heartily encouraged them by saying, "Science and technology offer many opportunities for cross-border cooperation. I hope that all of you will continue to play active roles in becoming a bridge between two nations."

Through the exchange with Mr. Hagiuda, the relationship between KMUTNB, our university, and Japan was further deepened. On the last day, the group paid a courtesy visit to UEC President Fukuda and Dr. Nakano, a member of the UEC board of directors, and reported that visit to Japan was a fruitful experience.