University of Tokyo (Forestry Science, Biomaterial Sciences) spoke at the commemorative seminar “BOKU–Japan: Co-operation in Past and Future” hosted by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)

On October 20, 2025, an international seminar titled “BOKU–Japan: Co-operation in Past and Future” was held at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). The event commemorated the long-standing academic exchange between Japan and Austria and explored future collaboration toward sustainability.

At the opening of the seminar, congratulatory remarks were delivered by Professor Sabine Schulev-Steindl, Rector of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU); H.E. Mr. Kiminori Iwama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Austria; and Professor Mazal from the University of Vienna and Kyoto University.

Each speaker emphasized the significance of the long-standing academic collaboration between the two countries and shared their perspectives on its future development.

This was followed by an overview of the history of Japan–Austria cooperation presented by Prof. Hübl of BOKU. Subsequently, Professor Marianne Penker (BOKU) and Professor Ryo Kohsaka (Department of Forest Science, The University of Tokyo, online) gave a joint lecture on “Sustainability transformations in the agri-food systems of Japan and the EU. Japan’s MIDORI vs. Farm-to-Fork strategy” highlighting the achievements of research collaboration between the two universities and presenting future perspectives on community-based sustainability practices.

In addition, reports were presented on a wide range of joint research topics, including climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster prevention studies, and cooperative approaches to graduate education.

In the final panel discussion, Mr. Kaoru Aoki, a first-year Master’s student in the Department of Forest Science at the University of Tokyo currently studying at BOKU, participated as a speaker.

He shared his views on the importance of international collaboration and his expectations for the future of academic exchange from the perspective of a young researcher.

Ms. Viktoria Blaschek, a second year doctoral student at the University of Tokyo with MEXT scholarship (also gradaute of BOKU), also attended the event and introduced ongoing research and student exchange activities between Japan and Austria.

Associate Professor Clemens Karl Peterbauer from BOKU (also Project Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, Biomaterial Sciences, Forest Chemistry) participated online as a panelist.

The seminar served as an important opportunity for researchers from both countries to explore new forms of collaboration toward the realization of a sustainable society.

Picture 1: Professor Sabine Schulev-Steindl, Rector (left) and Mr. Kaoru Aoki (right), first-year Master’s student in the Department of Forest Science, participating in the panel discussion

Picture 2: Ms. Viktoria Blaschek (left), second-year Doctoral student, participating in the panel discussion

 

Contact

Professor Ryo Kohsaka
Laboratory of Forest Landscape Planning and Design,
Department of Forest Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences,
The University of Tokyo
Email: kohsaka.lab[at]gmail.com (replace [at] with @)

Related Links

・Report on the Joint International Seminar by the University of Tokyo and BOKU: A Significant Step Toward the Future of Forestry in Japan
・Professor Ryo Kohsaka (Department of Forest Science) Speaks in the Commemorative Ceremony of Japan–Austria Research Exchange Hosted by BOKU, Vienna