Two young female scientists from South Africa, participating in the 2023 'Young Female Scientist Programme in Japan', collaborated by Okayama University and UNCTAD, met with President NASU Yasutomo on December 1. They were welcomed by President Nasu, along with Vice President for Global Engagement Prof. YOKOI Atsufumi and Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni Prof. SUZUKI Takayoshi, who listened as the scientists introduced their backgrounds and research plans at Okayama University.

On the same day, they joined President Nasu, Vice President Suzuki, and Woman Tenure Track (WTT) faculty members Associate Prof. HONDA Yasuko and Associate Prof. NEMOTO Michiko for a lunch meeting, fostering further exchanges. Additionally, they explored the affiliated library, Murata Academia, Okayama Korakuen Garden, and Okayama Castle, immersing themselves in Japanese culture, including attempting a traditional tea ceremony for the first time.

Okayama University and UNCTAD signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement in January 2020, making us the first university in the world to do so, with the goal to foster human resources in science, technology, and innovation (STI) to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on this agreement, the 'Young Female Scientist Programme in Japan' was established to provide short-term joint research and training ranging from 14 days to 30 days for young female scientists from developing countries in Africa and ASEAN member countries. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first batch of seven participants conducted their program online. However, the second batch for the 2022 academic year, consisting of 13 participants (eight from South Africa, two from The Gambia, and one each from Egypt, Tanzania, and the Philippines), visited Okayama University to conduct research activities.

Okayama University is committed to strengthening collaboration with UNCTAD, a central UN agency for STI for SDGs, to promote initiatives for human resource development in STI for SDGs globally and actively disseminate information both domestically and internationally.

○United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Established in 1964 and headquartered in Geneva, UNCTAD is the central UN agency that comprehensively addresses issues related to trade and development, finance, investment, technology, and sustainable development. Its mission is to maximize trade, investment, and development opportunities for developing countries, support developing countries facing challenges arising from globalization, and integrate them into the world economy on an equal footing.

［Reference］
Young Female Researchers from the First Group of the 2023 UNCTAD Short-Term Program