AY2026

Student Exchange Meeting was held. (April 23rd, 2026)

We held the Student Exchange Meeting with the students of the International Joint Degree Program in Energy Conversion Systems, who welcomed new members this year, as well as Kraft-sensei, who previously conducted research at Nagoya Institute of Technology as an FAU student in the same program. Because students in this program belong to different laboratories and do not often have the chance to meet each other, this gathering served as a valuable opportunity for interaction.
The event began with a workshop led by Professor Martin titled “Transportation around the globe,” in which participants explored cultural differences through comparisons of transportation systems. This was followed by self‑introductions from all attendees and an open discussion about transportation in their home countries, as well as surprising aspects of transportation in Japan. As the conversation progressed, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed, allowing everyone to enjoy the exchange while deepening their understanding of one another.

AY2025

Kick-off meeting was held. (March 9th-11th, 2026)

From March 9 to 11, 2026, the Kick-off Meeting for Phase 3 of the Japan–Germany Joint Graduate Program was held in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria. Approximately 50 faculty members and students from both countries gathered to celebrate the start of the new phase and to strengthen academic and cultural ties.

The meeting opened with welcome remarks, followed by a keynote address from Ms. Kumiko Tansho, Director of the International Research Cooperation Division Ⅱat the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). She reflected on the program’s trajectory since its launch in 2019, highlighting the expanding network of past and current members as well as the program’s growing impact on both research and education.
The event featured two keynote lectures: Dr. Nicola Beaumont of the University of Oxford on the first day, and Dr. Erling Ringgaard of CTS Corporation on the second. Both speakers offered insightful perspectives on global research trends and industry–academia collaboration, providing valuable inspiration for participants.
Presentations on twelve ongoing projects were delivered by the respective Japanese and German principal investigators. These sessions offered clear explanations of each project’s background, objectives, and future directions, ensuring that newly joined members could easily grasp the scope of the collaborative research.
Doctoral researchers also took part in workshops led by Dr. Andreas Späth of the FAU Competence Center, covering “Good Scientific Practice” and “Project Management and Leadership.” These sessions provided practical guidance on research ethics and effective collaboration in international research environments.
As part of the cultural exchange program, attendees joined the Night Watchman Tour, exploring the medieval old town with a costumed guide. This experience deepened mutual understanding by allowing participants to share in the cultural heritage of the region.

The connections and trust built through this Kick-off Meeting are expected to serve as a strong foundation for further development of each project and the overall program under the new framework. The 2026 Yearly School is scheduled to be held in Japan.

Student exchange meeting was held. (April 23, 2025)

In April 2025, our program welcomed two new working students who joined the International Collaborative Energy Conversion Systems major and the JGGE Program. To celebrate their arrival and strengthen connections among students currently in Japan—including visiting students from FAU—we held a student exchange meeting.
The event began with an engaging workshop led by Professor Martin, focusing on cultural differences between Japan and Germany, particularly regarding sick leave practices. Following the workshop, participants split into two groups for self introductions and open discussion.
Because students in this program conduct research abroad at various times, the composition of members in Japan and Germany is constantly shifting. This exchange event provided a valuable opportunity for eight Japanese and German students to interact, share experiences, and deepen their cross cultural understanding.

AY2024

JSPS Japanese-German Graduate Externship Program joint seminar was held in Japan (February 27･28, March 3･4, 2025).

Joint seminar was held in Osaka on February 27-28 and at NITech on March 3-4, 2025

 

Group photo

 Project Presentation/Award Ceremony

 

  Keynote Lecture by Dr. Noboru Maeda    Noh Performance “Simai” by Dr. Noboru Maeda                                                                                                                                    Workshop “Gender Diversity/Equity” by Prof. Mayumi Saegusa

 

Tutorials and Hands-on Workshops

Student exchange meeting was held. (April 19, 2024)

JD/JGGE Exchange Meeting and Guidance was held on April 19, 2024

 

AY2023

JSPS Japanese-German Graduate Externship Program joint seminar was held in Germany. (January.19･20･25･26, 2024)

A Japan-Germany joint seminar  was held.

JGGE members participated in E-MRS 2023 Spring Meeting in Strasbourg

E-MRS 2023 Spring Meeting was held with 2,100 attendees and 22 symposiums from 29th May to 2nd June 2023, in Strasbourg, France. JGGE members participated in this well-known international conference. In addition to their successful presentations, they also supported the operation of Symposium B, which was the biggest one among the symposiums in E-MRS 2023 Spring. Every JGGE member fulfilled their duties together with FAU members who also participated in this conference.

Student exchange meeting was held.(April 19, 2023)

The 3rd JGGE Guidance & Student Exchange Meeting was held. This was the first plenary meeting of the year, and we were able to hold it face-to-face with two new program students added to the current JGGE program students. The event was held online with the JGGE program students who are currently conducting overseas research at FAU.
In the guidance, Prof.Kakimoto who is the JGGE coordinator, explained the outline of the JGGE program, and then each faculty member explained the contents of the course and pre-departure education before going to Germany. Continuing at the student exchange meeting, Prof. Martin introduced the city of Erlangen and talked about the cultural differences between Japan and Germany. After that, they were divided into groupes and actively exchanged opinions on cultural differences and information about Germany.
through the experiencing, the long-term dispatch and acceptance that began in May last year, the program students were able to exchange information based on their actual experiences, making it a very meaningful time for the new program students.

                                  commemorative photo

                                   under discussion

AY2022

Kick-off Meeting 2023 was held. (February 27th – March 1st )

Kick-off Meeting 2023 was successfully held at the venue in Gifu prefecture. Nearly 60 participants from Germany and Japan joined. Opening remarks by Prof. Webber, IRTG Director and Prof. Kakimoto, JGGE Coordinator are followed by project presentaions by 12 teams, ring lectures, workshop for students, PI meeting and keynote lecture.
Lively discussions were seen in each place. Overcoming many restrictions due to Corona Pandemic, we were able to reaffirm the greatness and importance of face-to-face communication.
We visited one of the national treasure, Inuyama castle as a culutural exchange on the last day. It was a meaningful opportunity for both of us to deepen mutual understanding.

Next joint seminar is supposed to be held in Germany next winter.

 

 

JGGE Guidance and Student Exchange Meeting for Ph.D. students was held. (April 27, 2022)

Continuing from last July, the 2nd JGGE Guidance and Student Exchange Meeting was held. For a new program student who has not been able to come to Japan yet due to the corona disaster, we held a hybrid event that connects to the venue online. In the guidance, the faculty members in charge explained the outline of the JGGE program, the credit of the courses, and the pre-dispatch training. At the student exchange meeting, they learned about German bits of knowledge and divided groups to exchange views on each other’s plans about the image of Germany and travelling there. Professor Kakimoto, JGGE coordinator, expressed his joyful at finally starting overseas research in his speech. It was a lively meeting. In the JGGE program, we will follow the activities of three JGGE students who will be dispatched to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) from May. In addition, we will start accepting student dispatches from FAU from September onwards. In the near future, the education and research activities in collaboration between Japan and Germany will become active on the campuses of both universities.

Group photo of attendees (wearing a mask except at the time of shooting)

We shared information about Germany and deepened our friendship.

AY2021

JSPS Japanese-German Graduate Externship Program joint seminar was held online. (March.1-2, 2022)

From March 1 to 2, 2022, a Japan-Germany joint seminar (Yearly school: Energy Systems School Ⅲ) was held. Like last year, it was held online in response to the global outbreak of the COVID-19. 75 faculty staff and students from both the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech) attended the seminar. After the opening remarks by German coordinator Prof. Kyle Grant Webber and Japanese coordinator Prof. Ken-ichi Kakimoto, invited lectures were delivered by Prof. Kei Maeda from Tokyo University of Science, Japan and Prof. Hana Uršič from Jozef Stefan Institut, Slovenia. Over the course of two days, the program students gave presentations respectively about 12 research projects and four joint promotion projects, and the Q&A session became lively among participants. On the last day, the Young Research Award was awarded to the three students who made excellent research presentations. Even though the second consecutive year of online events, it was a good opportunity to further deepen understanding among members of both Germany and Japan. The next joint seminar will be held in Nagoya in March 2023.

Commemorative photo of all members

During the seminar

 

cf. Second Yearly School and subsequent Writing Retreat › IGK 2495 (fau.de)

JGGE Student Exchange Meeting for Ph.D. students was held. (July 15, 2021)

Japanese-German Graduate Externship (JGGE) Student Exchange Meeting was held on July 15, 2021 and 11 Ph.D. students of JGGE participated. First, Professor Kakimoto, the program coordinator, gave an opening speech, followed by an explanation about overview of the program and the courses. Finally, the students introduced themselves one by one. Since there are few opportunities for members to get together due to COVID-19, it was good for the members to further deepen the understanding each other through this exchange meeting.

Commemorative photo of diverse members

During the meeting

AY2020

JSPS Japanese-German Graduate Externship Program joint seminar was held online. (March 3–5, 2021)

From March 3 to 5, 2021, a Japan-Germany joint seminar (Yearly school: Energy Systems School II) was held. Last year, we held a joint seminar in Bamberg, Germany, but this time it was held online in response to the global outbreak of the new coronavirus. Approximately 60 faculty, staff and students from both the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech) attended the seminar. After the opening remarks by Japanese coordinator Prof. Ken-ichi Kakimoto and German coordinator Prof. Kyle Grant Webber, invited lectures were delivered by Dr. Dai Hisamoto of Hitachi, Ltd. and Dr. Izumi Kano of the NITech Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Over the course of three days, the program students gave presentations respectively about 12 research projects and four joint promotion projects, and the Q&A session became lively among participants. On the last day, the Young Research Award was awarded to the three students who made excellent research presentations. At the cultural exchange meeting, it was a good opportunity to further deepen understanding among members of both Germany and Japan by watching a self-introduction video created by the program students. The next joint seminar will be held in Nagoya in March 2022.

Commemorative photo of all members

During the seminar

AY2019

A yearly school was held in Germany. (February 24–26, 2020)

A three-day yearly school (Energy Systems School I) was organized in Bamberg, a town near Erlangen, Germany. Nagoya Institute of Technology sent 23 faculty members and students to the event. After the opening remarks by Professor Webber, Kley Grant, who represents Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, the invited corporate advisors held their lectures. Also, 12 teams presented an overview of each joint research project. The lectures and seminars were arranged for participating students. On the last day, the participants visited the city center of Bamberg, a World Heritage Site, for cultural exchange. It was a good opportunity to further deepen understanding among Japanese and German delegates.
The next yearly school will be held in Nagoya in March 2021.

The Japan–Germany Joint Graduate Externship Program held its kickoff symposium titled “Energy Conversion System: From Materials to Devices.” (October 25, 2019)

The opening symposium of the Japan–Germany Joint Graduate Externship Program was held in NITech. Dr. Hiroyuki Ukai, NITech president, started with a speech. “I wish this program grows to industry–academia collaboration and to be grown the human resources who play on a global stage by having this program.” Professor Ken-ichi Kakimoto then introduced the outline of the program, and Mr. Toru Fujii, director of the Development Research Institute of Taiyo Dielectric Co., Ltd., gave a commemorative lecture about career development titled “Expectations for Doctoral Personnel in Companies.” Afterward, a poster session was held by the program’s participating NITech faculty laboratories. About 120 people, including more than 70 NITech students, participated in this kickoff symposium. The Q&A session was lively between students and speakers at the commemorative lecture and also at the poster session.