From September 3 to 10, the Environmental Management Course of the School of Engineering held the "Student Science Exchange Program between Okayama University and National Taiwan University - Research Experiences in the field of Environmental Management." 7 second-year students and 2 third-year students from the Environmental Management Course of the School of Engineering, Okayama University, participated in this program, along with 8 undergraduate students from National Taiwan University and Professor Shao-Yiu Hsu, a faculty member who led the program.

This is an annual interactive program between students from National Taiwan University and Okayama University. Okayama University students received financial support from WESCO Co., Ltd for their visit to Taiwan.

At the opening ceremony, Dean NANBA Tokuro of the School of Engineering gave an opening address, followed by an introduction to the course by MORITA Hidenori, Chair of the Environmental Management Course, and an introduction to Okayama's culture by Okayama University students. During the 8-day program, participating students attended 2 lectures each day (lecturers: Prof. NISHIMURA Shinichi, Associate Prof. SHUKU Takayuki, Prof. KUKI Yasuaki, Prof. MORI Yasushi, Associate Professor MATSUI Yasuhiro, Prof. MAEDA Morihiro, Prof. NAKATA Kazuyoshi, Assistant Professor KATSUHARA Koki, and Associate Professor KUDO Ryoji), and in the evening, laboratory tours gave the students an opportunity to experience cutting-edge research activities. At the presentation event, the students introduced what they had learned in the laboratory tours to the other groups. During the field trip, the groups visited the Oda River rerouting construction site, where Mr. Hamada, Director of the Takahashi River and Oda River Emergency Flood Control Office, Chugoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, explained the flooding mechanism and prevention measures. Also, with the cooperation of the Shikoku Land Improvement Research and Management Office, Chugoku-Shikoku Agricultural Administration Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, they visited the coastal area of the Kagawa Irrigation and Drainage Project, the Kagawa Irrigation Canals/the Doki River. Secretary General Asano from the Mannoike Land Improvement District, Chairman Toki from Ayauta Town Kodzumori Pond Water Conservancy Association, Representative Hataoka from Okada East Community Organization (one component organization of the Ayauta Community Wide Area Agreement), and Mr. Saito from WESCO Co., Ltd explained about environmentally-friendly construction methods in agricultural waterways, aquatic animal conservation, agricultural water operation, and an overview of Manno Pond, a World Heritage site for irrigation facilities.

Through the above activities, students from both universities learned about the concept of environmental research and the latest research activities of Okayama University, with enjoying communicating in English. In addition, we showcased the education and research activities at the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, and discussed our future faculty/student exchanges and joint research. We hope to use this opportunity to promote overseas exchanges among students and faculty members.