{"id":435,"date":"2024-11-26T00:42:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T00:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp\/sakurascience\/?page_id=435"},"modified":"2024-11-26T00:43:03","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T00:43:03","slug":"sakura-science-program-advanced-agricultural-research-experience-program-for-achieving-sdgs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp\/sakurascience\/sakura-science-program-advanced-agricultural-research-experience-program-for-achieving-sdgs\/","title":{"rendered":"Sakura Science Program 2022: Advanced Agricultural Research Experience Program for Achieving SDGs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From October 23 to 29, 2022, the Faculty of Agriculture at Kagawa University hosted the Sakura Science Program Science and Technology Experience Course<\/strong>. This program welcomed 11 young researchers, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and a faculty member, from 8 universities in 5 countries and regions: Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Indonesia, and Taiwan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the theme \u201cToward the Achievement of SDGs: Advanced Agricultural Research Experience Program for Achieving SDGs,\u201d<\/em> participants explored cutting-edge agricultural research and its applications. The program offered hands-on opportunities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Visiting facilities<\/strong>\u00a0dedicated to agricultural research, education, and industry related to the SDGs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Participating in laboratory experiments<\/strong>\u00a0and engaging in discussions with laboratory members at Kagawa University.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Program Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    Date<\/th>Activities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    October 23<\/strong><\/td>Arrival at airports (Kansai, Narita, Haneda), transfer to Kagawa University, program guidance.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 24<\/strong><\/td>Opening ceremony, lab tour at the Faculty of Agriculture, courtesy visit to Kagawa University International Office, and tour of Kagawa University Museum.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 25<\/strong><\/td>Tours of a soy sauce production factory, a sturgeon land aquaculture facility, and the Kagawa University Rare Sugar Production Station.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 26<\/strong><\/td>Hands-on laboratory experience and discussions with laboratory members at Kagawa University.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 27<\/strong><\/td>Experimental practice in the lab and further discussions with laboratory members.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 28<\/strong><\/td>Preparation for presentations, presentation of research findings, and closing ceremony.<\/td><\/tr>
    October 29<\/strong><\/td>Departure from airports.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Highlights of Facility Visits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Kagawa University Museum<\/strong>
    Participants visited the Kagawa University Museum to explore the exhibition \u201cThe Blessings of Fermentation.\u201d<\/em> The museum\u2019s Deputy Director, Dr. Fumiki Ito, explained the university\u2019s contributions to fermentation research and highlighted the history and cultural significance of fermented foods worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rare Sugar Production Station<\/strong>
    Rare sugars are naturally occurring monosaccharides found only in trace amounts. Certain rare sugars, such as D-psicose, are known for their health benefits, including blood sugar regulation and fat accumulation prevention. Kagawa University is renowned for being the first in the world to establish mass-production methods for rare sugars. Participants learned about these innovations from Associate Professor Susumu Mochizuki of the International Institute for Rare Sugar Research and Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Through these activities, participants gained invaluable insights into advanced agricultural research, fostering collaboration and innovation toward achieving the SDGs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hands-on Laboratory Experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As part of the Sakura Science Program, the 11 participants were divided into eight research laboratories at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, based on their academic interests and research fields. Over two days, participants engaged in collaborative experiments, exchanged research ideas with faculty and students, and shared their own research backgrounds. This immersive experience fostered both academic exchange and personal connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Laboratory Highlights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n