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Held to pioneer new academic domains while fostering the next generation of research leaders, Frontiers of Science (FoS) Symposia are carried out by JSPS in cooperation with its partner agencies in the participating countries. Differing from the general symposium format, FoS Symposia do not attempt to reach conclusions or compile results; their aim is to further enrich the young researchers’ ability to think freely and creatively so as to be better equipped to challenge and expand the frontiers of science. Concurrently, these symposia are meant to develop leaders who possess broad perspectives, transcending minutely defined boundaries among research fields, and who are capable of jelling colleagues across wide spectrums of science into collaborative undertakings. In FY 2009, two FoS Symposia were held, one with Germany and the other with France. These symposia lodged 60-80 (30-40 from each side) talented young researchers from Japan and the counterpart country under one roof for a period of three days. Specializing in a wide range of research fields, the participants used this time together to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions on the leading edge of scientific pursuits.
In the symposium sessions, presentations were given on the appeal and potential of each of selected topics, followed by discussions that encouraged all the young researchers to venture across lines dividing their various specializations. These discussions proved to be so engrossing as to often carry over into lunch breaks or evening free time. FoS Symposia assemble leading young researchers with ability to pioneer new frontiers in their respective fields. Uninhibited by today’s highly partitioned research environment, they are expected to possess wide perspectives while focusing themselves upon their own research themes. By participating in these FoS Symposia, they not only broaden their scientific horizons but also discover new ideas and potential partners. This year as in others, many of the participants praised the program for the opportunity it accorded them to explore interdisciplinary possibilities with new colleagues. Another feature of the FoS program is its planning groups, whose members are appointed from among the participants of the previous year’s symposium. They plan and organize the following year’s symposium, including the selection of its session topics and speakers. For more program details, please see the FoS homepage: http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fos/. Japanese-German Frontiers of Science (JGFoS) Symposium
The JGFoS series was established as part of an agreement to strengthen bilateral scientific exchange, particularly among young researchers, made at a summit held in August 2003 between the Japanese and German heads of state. Launched in 2004, the program is implemented in cooperation with Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH). This sixth symposium in the series was held from 30 October through 1 November in Tokyo, Japan. On the first evening, a reception was hosted for the participants by Dr. Anna Prinz, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, at the German Embassy in Tokyo. After the symposium, the members of the incoming planning group met and engaged in a spirited discussion on topic candidates for the seventh JGFoS. Japanese-French Frontiers of Science (JFFoS) Symposium
The JFFoS series was established based on an agreement “to create a framework conducive to the development of exchanges” between the Japanese and French heads of state at their summit in March 2005. These symposia have been carried out since FY 2006 in cooperation with the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE), French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). This fourth symposium was held on 22-24 January in Futuroscope, France. After it, the incoming planning group met in Tokyo on 16 March, where the French and Japanese members spent an entire day deliberating and choosing the session topics for the fifth JFFoS. - Research Cooperation Division II  |
