U.S. Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Courtesy Call to President Ogawa
On February 16th 2023, Mr. Aaron P. Forsberg, Minister for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Japan; Mr. Chuka Asike, Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka; and Ms. Katherine Rafaniello, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka paid a courtesy call to President Hisao Ogawa. Also present were Dr. Kazuhito Tomizawa, Trustee and Vice President for University Reform and Evaluation; Dr. Jun Otani, Trustee and Vice President for Research and Global Strategy; Dr. Tsuyoshi Usagawa, Trustee and Vice President for Education and Student Support; and Mr. Takanori Sonoda, Distinguished Professor of the Organization for Globalization.
Kumamoto University (KU) representatives opened the meeting by introducing educational reformation plans for developing human resources in the semiconductor field through the "School of Informatics" and the Faculty of Engineering’s “Semiconductor Device Engineering Course" to be established in AY2024.* They provided details about how KU will strengthen semiconductor research, and the university’s current status regarding collaborations with companies.
The U.S. attendees expressed their expectations and support for the English language-centered educational plans of the new programs. Both parties agreed to continue discussions about possibly receiving support from the U.S. government. The development of human resources in the semiconductor field is the first program of its kind at a Japanese university.
In the following discussion, participants exchanged opinions on the university's security export control initiatives as well as cooperation in fostering human resources who can play active roles on a global scale.
Building upon this courtesy call, KU intends to promote further exchanges with related organizations in the U.S., and strengthen cooperation for human resource development in the semiconductor field.
*Click here for details on the establishment of the "School of Informatics" and the Faculty of Engineering’s “Semiconductor Device Engineering Course." The two programs remain to be reviewed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The final programs will be based on the results of the review and are subject to change.
