The 2019 International Postgraduate Academic Forum

The 2019 International Postgraduate Academic Forum was held at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing in China (CUGB) from September 20 to 23. The forum is organized annually by the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, aiming to improve students' English communication skills.

A total of 102 people attended the forum, including 33 students from the University of Tsukuba, 2 each students from Hokkaido University and Kobe University, 35 students from the China University of Geosciences in China, and 28 students from the following 8 universities in China: Peking University, Tsinghua University, Jilin University, China Agricultural University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, China University of Petroleum, and Shanghai Normal University.

Students made presentations on 102 topics in the following 3 sessions: Resources, Environment and Life.

Before making presentations at the forum, students from the University of Tsukuba had received feedback from their advisory teachers. Thanks to their efforts, their presentation skills were greatly improved, in terms of both English proficiency and time management skills. Some students even impressed the judges with their presentation skills.

In 3 sessions, the 9 students served as chairpersons, made efforts to move the sessions forward smoothly.

A farewell party was held in the evening of September 22. Some 50 students who won the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes in 3 sessions received prizes at the party. There were 4 prize winners from the University of Tsukuba in each of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes.

With singing and dances performed by CUGB students, the room was buzzing with excitement. It was the moment to experience such a hospitality by China, different culture from Japan.

Though the 4 days 3 night-trip was not long enough, students of the University of Tsukuba enjoyed sightseeing around the city of Beijing in their free time. The students from CUGB help them get the taxi. They looked happy to do any kind of help. Promising to meet again at the forum next year, they parted in the morning of September 23.

The 2019 International Postgraduate Academic Forum is scheduled to be held at the China Agricultural University next year. The forum plans to have more than 100 participants from inside and outside the country. The University of Tsukuba intends to keep promoting exchanges between China, Japan, and other country such as Malaysia through this forum. We seek for your kind cooperation for the forum to last for a long time.

Prize Winners at the 2019 International Postgraduate Academic Forum

1st Prize

- Mr. Zhang Cheng / 2nd-year student, Master's Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Ms. Liu Na / 2nd-year student, Doctoral Program in Bioindustrial Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Mr. Zhang Yi Hao / 2nd-year student, Master's Program in Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Mr. Aditya Sharma / 1st-year student, Doctoral Program in Bioindustrial Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

2nd Prize

- Mr. Akiho Yagi, 2nd-year student, Master's Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Mr. Ryota Ishiyama, 1st-year student, Master's Program in Geosciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Ms. Miki Fujii / 1st-year student, Master's Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Mr. Takaya Sugawara / 2nd-year student, Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

3rd Prize

- Ms. Zhu Yun Xin / 2nd-year student, Master's Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Ms. Misako Hagiwara / 2nd-year student, Master's Program in Geosciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

- Ms. Lara Rona Grace / 3rd-year student, Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation, School of Integrative and Global Majors

- Mr. Daichi Toyooka / 1st-year student, Master's Program in Geosciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

Commemorative photo at the 2019 International Postgraduate Academic Forum

Commemorative photo with attendees from University of Tsukuba