Party Secretary of USST Wang Lingyu Led Delegation to Japan to Advance International Exchange and Cooperation

From October 12 to 16, Party Secretary of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology Wang Lingyu led a delegation to Japan, conducting a series of cooperative exchange activities with universities and educational institutions including the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Chuo University, Showa Women's University, and the Japan Private School Promotion and Mutual Aid Association. Accompanying the delegation were relevant officials from the International Affairs Office, the Alumni Relations Office, the Institute of Machine Intelligence, and the School of Foreign Languages. The visit aimed to foster in-depth collaboration between our university and world-class institutions in fields such as medical-engineering convergence, artificial intelligence robotics, and industrial synergy, thereby continuously enhancing our university's internationalization.

On the afternoon of October 12, the delegation attended the inauguration ceremony of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology Japan Alumni Association held at Chuo University. Nearly 40 alumni from our university residing in Japan, along with Professor Kazushige Umeda, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Chuo University, attended the event. Associate Professor Song Xiaoqi from the Tokyo Institute of Technology was elected as the first president of the council. Wang Lingyu extended warm congratulations to the establishment of the Japan Alumni Association and highly commended the outstanding achievements of alumni across various industries in Japan. He noted that as a university designated for Shanghai's new round of comprehensive reform pilot programs, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is closely aligned with major national strategic needs, committed to building itself into a first-class science and engineering university that leads industry, industrial development, and technological innovation in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Song Xiaoqi stated that he would unite all board members, harness the strength of alumni, serve alumni development, and contribute to the development of the alma mater.

On the morning of October 13, the delegation visited the Precision Medical Devices Laboratory and the Nakagawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Professor Etsuko Kobayashi and laboratory staff received the visitors. Professor Kobayashi introduced the research conducted by her group in the field of precision medical devices, providing detailed explanations and demonstrations of the development and application of minimally invasive surgical robots, life support robots, and vital signs monitoring instruments. Guided by laboratory staff, the delegation toured relevant laboratories and engaged in in-depth discussions with researchers.

On the afternoon of October 13, the delegation visited the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Professor Atsushi Yamashita, the laboratory's chief researcher, and members of his research team welcomed the visitors. Professor Yamashita introduced the laboratory's research in the field of artificial intelligence, focusing on AI robots, robotic vision recognition, and image processing. Subsequently, the delegation toured facilities including the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, the Assistive Standing Device Laboratory, and the Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory. The Institute of Machine Intelligence at our university also briefed the research team on our institution's research progress in this field.

On the morning of October 14, the delegation visited the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Waseda University. Professor Tetsuya Ogata from Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering introduced the team's research in AI robotics, robotic deep learning, and industrial robot development and application. The research focus and strengths of this laboratory align closely with those of our university's Institute of Machine Intelligence. Both parties expressed willingness to pursue in-depth, substantive collaboration in areas such as AI robot development, industry-academia-research integration, and faculty-student exchanges.

On the afternoon of October 14, the delegation visited Chuo University's Tama Campus. The delegation was received by Chuo University President Hisashi Kawai, Vice President and Director of the International Exchange Center Maki Kunimatsu, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering Kazushige Umeda, and Deputy Director of the International Exchange Center Fumiko Kurihara. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on collaboration between the two universities. Wang Lingyu emphasized that University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is committed to build a leading science and technology university driving industry development. He expressed hope for substantive cooperation in academic research, faculty exchanges, student exchanges, platform co-construction, and exchanges between affiliated high schools. Chuo University President Hisashi Kawai stated that 2025 marks the university's 140th anniversary, while in 2026 he will see the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology celebrate its 120th anniversary. He expressed hope that both universities would expand their cooperation beyond existing foundations, promote exchanges between USST and Chuo University's Business School and School of International Management, and jointly enhance their internationalization efforts. Subsequently, the two universities signed a cooperation agreement for global learning programs.

On October 15, the delegation visited Showa Women's University. They were received by Mariko Bando, Chairperson and President of Showa Women's University; Akira Kanao, President; Takaaki Ihara, Vice President; and heads of relevant functional departments. Chairperson and President Mariko Bando extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the university's history and distinctive features in international development. Wang Lingyu expressed gratitude for the hospitality and stated the hope that both universities would continue cooperation in academic exchange, collaboration in emerging Disciplines, and interdisciplinary integration of science and engineering, building upon previous collaborations. Subsequently, the two universities renewed their inter-university cooperation agreement and summer program cooperation agreement.

Finally, the delegation visited the Japan Private School Promotion and Mutual Aid Association, where Chairman Norihiko Fukuhara received the visitors. Wang Lingyu noted that as a Shanghai-based key applied research university with a focus on engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology has continuously enhanced its internationalization efforts in recent years and looks forward to expanding cooperation with more Japanese universities. Fukuhara stated that during his tenure as President of Chuo University, he had actively promoted collaboration between Chuo University and University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and would continue to facilitate partnerships between additional Japanese institutions and University of Shanghai for Science and Technology.

During the visit, the delegation also visited USST students studying in Japan. Wang Lingyu encouraged the students to cherish their time, strive courageously, and wished them academic success and smooth progress in all endeavors.