A senior delegation from the University attended the inaugural University of Tokyo - University of Exeter research symposium in Tokyo. Tokyo image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Exeter strengthens ties with the University of Tokyo
A senior delegation from the University has spent the last week strengthening Exeter’s ties with Japan.
Over 350 delegates attended the inaugural University of Tokyo - University of Exeter research symposium, which showcased the collaboration being undertaken by both partners, in conjunction with the private sector, into the treatment of mood disorders, such as rumination and depression.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith and Professor Junichi Hamada, President of the University of Tokyo, opened proceedings which followed a meeting to discuss extending opportunities for joint research and exchanges for staff and students. The University of Tokyo is the highest ranked University in Asia and last week moved up to 23rd place in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014.
The Tokyo - Exeter symposium was based on the work of Professor Ed Watkins of the Mood Disorders Centre at Exeter who has been working with faculty at the University of Tokyo and Japanese IT software company, OceanBridge to adapt and distribute a Japanese version of his internet-based MindReSolve treatment for depression.
Alongside Professor Watkins, Professor Janice Kay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor Eugene Mullan from the Department of Psychology presented with leading academics from the University of Tokyo and representatives from Japanese industry.
Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor commented: “It is incredibly important for a leading university like Exeter to forge international research partnerships in order to tackle the world’s most pressing health issues. One in five people around the world suffer from some form of depression in their lives, and our collaboration with the University of Tokyo will allow us to develop pioneering treatment for this debilitating illness.”
Sir Steve also made several other high-profile speeches whilst in Japan; one to the Science and Technology in Society Forum held in Kyoto; a keynote speech at the UK-Japan Higher Education Symposium in Tokyo organised by the British Council Japan; and an address to the Japanese Association of University Management on the strategies employed by Exeter that has seen it become both a UK Top-10 and a World Top-150 institution.
Date: 11 October 2013
