UG hosts JSPS symposium and Gratama workshop

On 26 and 27 October, the University of Groningen hosted a symposium organized by the JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) in dedication to the kickoff of the research collaboration between the research institutes ZIAM and GBB from Groningen and the research institutes ISIR and IPR from Osaka. A delegation of 34 researchers from Osaka University were present at the symposium, which was held at the Zernike Campus in Nijenborgh 4, at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Both parties also agreed to organize a summer course in Groningen for master/PhD students.

From 29 October until 31 October, the University of Groningen hosted the 6th Gramata Workshop. The workshop built on the strong relation between the Netherlands and Japan in chemical sciences, which originates from the contributions and devotion of Dr. Koenraad Wolter Gratama (1831-1888), who founded a chemistry school in Osaka in the period 1866-1871. This school for the first time introduced modern chemistry in Japan. Gratama’s important contribution is acknowledged mutually and since 2000 workshops have been organized every three to four years, previously in Osaka, Utrecht, Hyogo, Delft and Tokyo. The purpose of the workshop has been to reinforce the scientific interactions and collaboration and to sustain the excellent relationship between Japan and the Netherlands in general, and the relationship between the University of Osaka and Groningen in particular. Both events were organized in collaboration with the Osaka University European Centre for Academic Initiatives.