A Cooperation between Vilnius University and a University in Japan Gains Momentum
On 27 June, HE OZAKI Tetsu, the Ambassador of Japan to Lithuania, and Japan’s First Secretary OKASAKI Hiroshi, visited the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University (VU MF). Their visit was aimed at supporting and strengthening cooperation between the researchers of VU MF and Kansai Medical University, which has been discussed via an online connection with colleagues in Japan. The VU MF Dean, Prof. Algirdas Utkus, received the guests at the Faculty of Medicine.
“We are pleased to know that the relationship between Lithuania and Japan in the area of medicine is developing. Although I have been in your country for nine months now, every day I learn something new and interesting about the synergy shared between our two countries. Today, I am focusing on the medical field developed by the two universities. Such cooperation must be preserved and fostered,” HE said in his greeting.
According to Prof. Utkus, the collaboration currently takes place in research, education and in practical experiences: “Over a six-month period, 15 virtual lectures on surgery, internal medicine, radiology, pathology and other topics were organised. The virtual environment gives students the opportunity to participate in lectures together with peers from other countries, acquiring global experience and the basics of interculturalism. This experience is also useful for lecturers.” In the future, more shared lectures will be organised for the students of Kansai and Vilnius universities, and these can now be conducted live.
These are just some of the activities planned for implementation in the future. “We hope that beginning this autumn, the first doctoral student will start his studies in the doctoral degree programme jointly prepared by Kansai and Vilnius universities. We will implement the exchange of young surgeons to share good practice, and we expect student exchange in the field of cardiology too,” explained the cooperation coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Aistė Gulla.
Prof. Vaiva Hendrixson, Vice Dean for Studies, and representatives from the VU Hospital Santaros Klinikos: Prof. Feliksas Jankevičius, Director, Prof. Marius Miglinas, Head of the Centre for Nephrology, Artūras Samuilis, Head of the Centre for Radiology Centre, Assoc. Prof. Aistė Gulla, Head of the Organ Transplantation Coordination Centre, and the future doctoral student of two universities Denis Tsybulsky participated in the meeting. Kansai Medical University was represented at the meeting by Prof. TOMODA Koichi, President, Prof. HITOMI Hirofumi, Head of the International Relations Committee, and surgeons, Prof. SEKIMOTO Mitsugu, Dr. med. HASHIMOTO Daisuke and Prof. SATOI Sohei.