Close to 60 participants gathered on this occasion, representing 15 Swiss higher education institutions, including EPFL, ETH Zürich, Geneva Graduate Institute, HEC Lausanne, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, HSO Wirtschafts- und Informatikschule, Università della Svizzera italiana, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, University of Basel, University of Bern, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, University of Lucerne, University of Zurich, and Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Ambassador Baum opened the festivities with a welcome remark that emphasized Japan and Switzerland’s shared values in upholding strong relationships in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, namely through the Momerandum of Cooperation signed last October in Kyoto by Minister Masahito Moriyama and State Secretary Martina Hirayama, the Swiss State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation. The high value of inter-university and international student exchanges were also highlighted as key tools for fruitful international relations and collaborations.
The ground breaking officializing the start of the Swiss Pavilion’s construction, which took place two days earlier, was also underlined as an important milestone on the road to the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The Ambassador warmly encouraged all the guests to visit the Swiss Pavilion during the Expo, and to take part in the many upcoming events organized by the Swiss Embassy that will take place in the run-up to the World Expo as part of the flagship Vitality.Swiss campaign.
The participants were then invited to take a deep dive into the ocean waters of Okinawa where Dr. Saki Harii and her team including the Swiss biologist and alumnus of the University of Geneva, Dr. Frederic Sinniger Harii, carry their research. Together, at the Tropical Biosphere Research Center at Ryukyus University, they study different facets of coral reef biology, from reproduction, conservation, discovery of new species populating the deep parts of coral reefs, from 30–100 meters and overlaps of species in shallow and deep waters. The insightful presentation included the purpose and history of their research and long-lasting collaboration. Beautiful and colorful pictures of corals taken during their research expeditions were on display during the evening for all to marvel.
It was a wonderful evening to come together and celebrate the special link connecting the Swiss community living in Japan. We were delighted to see a lot of new faces and are grateful to all who joined. We look forward to the next Alumni event!
