On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Saga University welcomed a courtesy visit from Yahya Ahmad Zein, Rector of Borneo Tarakan University in Indonesia, and Rukisah Saleh, Vice Rector. The delegation met with Saga University President Koichi Node, Executive Director Shigehisa Aoki (Research & Community Cooperation and International Affairs), Vice President Maiko Sakamoto (International Affairs), Advisor to the President Tadashi Tsujita (International Affairs), Dean Kazuya Sato of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Professor Masato Tominaga of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
The visit marked the launch of a new joint research collaboration between the two universities. In September 2025, the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Saga University and its counterpart at Borneo Tarakan University signed an academic exchange agreement. Building on this partnership, a young researcher exchange project led by Professor Tominaga, entitled “Fish-Derived Albumin Sensor for Rapid Detection of Synthetic Opioids,” was selected for support under the JST-NEXUS international collaboration program administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in fiscal year 2026.
During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on future academic and research collaboration. President Node introduced Saga University’s Vision 2040, “Wisdom in Action for a Shared Future” and highlighted the University’s commitment to international partnerships based on the principle of mutual benefit. He expressed his hope that the new project would promote the exchange of knowledge and talent between Japan and Indonesia while fostering the next generation of globally minded researchers. Rector Yahya expressed his appreciation for Saga University’s research excellence and conveyed his enthusiasm for expanding cooperation between the two institutions.
The delegation and university representatives also discussed opportunities for further engagement through Saga University’s Overseas Homecoming Day, which is scheduled to take place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in November 2026. The event is expected to provide an additional platform for strengthening academic ties and exploring new areas of collaboration. Through initiatives such as the JST-NEXUS program, Saga University continues to expand its international research network and strengthen partnerships with universities around the world. The University remains committed to advancing collaborative research, promoting the international exchange of knowledge and talent, and contributing to solutions for global challenges through international cooperation
