International Student Week “ISW” Successfully Held!

From August 3 to 7, the Graduate School of Dentistry hosted the international exchange program “International Student Week (ISW)”. We were delighted to welcome students from Newcastle University (England), Ankara University (Turkey), and Hannover Medical School (Germany), making the first time that Ankara University and Hannover Medical School have participated in the program.

The week kicked off with an orientation by Professor Kenji HATA. This was followed by a welcome lunch hosted by Dean Kazuhiko NAKANO and Professor Kenji HATA. The lunch provided a warm and friendly atmosphere for lively conversation. As this was the first trip to Japan for most of the visiting students, they enthusiastically shared their first impressions. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for everyone.

From the second day, the main program began in earnest, featuring specialized lectures and clinical department tours. As the students were exposed to cutting-edge research and dental technology, they were highly engaged and stimulated, showing particular interest in our clinical setup and patient care systems.

To foster deeper connections, a student networking event was held with students from our Graduate School Dentistry and School of Dentistry. The visiting students gave engaging presentations about their respective universities, which our students listened to attentively, gaining valuable insights into overseas dental education systems. Following the presentations, everyone enjoyed making Temaki-zushi (hand-rolled sushi) together in a relaxed and festive environment.

At the conclusion of the five-day program, participants were awarded certificates of completion. They highlighted the educational value of the lectures, particularly expressing great interest in Japan’s advanced research on AI and regenerating periodontal tissues. Others emphasized the cultural exchange, noting how valuable it was to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and gain insights into global dental practices. Overall, the program proved to be an immensely rewarding experience for all involved.

The next ISW will take place from September 14 to 18, when we look forward to hosting students from the National University of Singapore and Universiti Malaya. We eagerly anticipate another week filled with meaningful connections and discoveries.