ISW Program Held on December 9 to 13
In the Graduate School of Dentistry, we hold a short-term program called “International Student Week (ISW)” to host foreign dental students from abroad. From December 9 to 13,6 students from Universiti Malaya (UM) in Malaysia and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Indonesia participated.
The first day of the program started with the orientation. Assoc. Prof. Hata introduced the School, the Graduated School of Dentistry, and the Dental Hospital. At lunch time, Dean Nishimura held a welcome lunch. Prof. Utami, Vice Dean of UGM, also joined lunch during her visit to Japan. We talked about the food, overseas experience, and so on. It was a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, and we really enjoyed getting to know each other better.
From the second day on, we had started with lectures, clinical observations, and tours of medical facilities. The students were fully engaged, taking diligent notes and asking insightful questions, demonstrating their eagerness to learn.
The welcome party was held in the evening. There was a presentation about each university. They had presented about their university. Coming from a variety of educational backgrounds, the participants shared perspectives on their student lives and built connections that transcended their differences.
On the fourth day, we visited Morita Manufacturing Corporation in Kyoto, where we had the opportunity to see firsthand the production of handpieces, AI chairs, and state-of-the-art CT scanners. The students were particularly amazed by the craftsmanship involved, as each product is meticulously handcrafted. Their fascination was evident in the flurry of questions they asked throughout the tour. Time flew by during the two and a half hour factory tour.
The participating students expressed their gratitude for the passionate explanations of the faculty and the welcoming atmosphere they experienced. This program will continue to actively promote international exchange and contribute to the development of dentists and researchers who can make a difference globally.
The next ISW is scheduled for February, and we look forward to welcoming students from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan and Wonkwang University in Korea.
