On October 20, 2026, a 17-member delegation from the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT), a consortium of 12 leading Taiwanese universities, visited Saga University.

The delegation first toured the research facilities of Synchrotron Light Application Center, Saga University, located within Kyushu Synchrotron Light Research Center, before visiting the University’s Honjo Campus. Representatives from Saga University and the UAAT member universities introduced their distinctive research activities and institutional initiatives and exchanged views on future opportunities for collaboration, including joint research, educational cooperation, and faculty and student exchange.

During the visit to the synchrotron research facilities, Kazutoshi Takahashi, Director of Synchrotron Light Application Center, Saga University, provided an overview of the Center’s activities. The delegation then toured the beamlines and state-of-the-art analytical instruments, gaining a deeper understanding of synchrotron-based technologies and their applications in both industrial and academic research.

At the Honjo Campus, Koichi Node, President of Saga University, delivered a welcome address. Looking toward the further expansion of academic exchange with UAAT member universities, Saga University highlighted several of its distinctive research strengths and initiatives. Presentations were given by Hidenobu Soejima, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, on medicine and healthcare; Akihiro Suzuki, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, on agriculture and food resources; Masayuki Koikawa, Director (Education and Student Affairs) and Vice President, on cosmetic science; and Yasuyuki Ikegami, Director, Institute of Ocean Energy, on advancing ocean energy for a sustainable future. The presentations were followed by an exchange of views with the UAAT delegation.

During the discussion session, President Node expressed his hope that the network established through this visit would continue to grow and develop. He noted that Saga University seeks to further strengthen ties with Taiwan through future visits and the conclusion of academic agreements with UAAT member universities, paving the way for concrete collaboration in research and education.

In response, Prof. Ya-Ping Chiu, Deputy Vice President for Research and Development, National Taiwan University, and head of the UAAT delegation, expressed her appreciation for Saga University’s advanced research facilities and cutting-edge research achievements. She also voiced her expectations for the further development of joint research and educational collaboration between the two sides and warmly welcomed a future visit to Taiwan by President Node and other representatives of Saga University.

Following the official program, a welcome reception was held, providing participants with an opportunity to deepen their connections and mutual understanding through Saga’s local cuisine and culture.

Saga University hopes that this visit will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening research collaboration, educational cooperation, and faculty and student exchange between Saga University and UAAT member institutions, ultimately leading to the realization of concrete collaborative initiatives in the future.

Participants from Saga University

• Koichi Node, President
• Masayuki Koikawa, Director of Education & Student Affairs / Vice President
• Shigehisa Aoki, Director of Research & Community Cooperation Affairs / Vice President
• Maiko Sakamoto, Vice President (International Affairs)
• Susumu Mitsutake, Advisor to the President (Research and Community Cooperation)
• Takayuki Narita, Advisor to the President (Research and Community Cooperation)
• Hirokazu Takahashi, Advisor to the President (International)
• Hidenobu Soejima, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
• Akihiro Suzuki, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture
• Yasuyuki Ikegami, Director of Institute of Ocean Energy

Member Universities of the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT)

• National Taiwan University
• National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
• National Taipei University of Technology
• Taipei Medical University
• National Chung Hsing University
• National Chengchi University
• National Sun Yat-sen University
• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
• National Cheng Kung University
• National Central University
• National Taiwan Normal University
• National Tsing Hua University