Official meeting „Fostering Japanise-Estonian research cooperation in the field of Bioengineering and Biotechnology“.

Representatives of Estonian universities and Estonian Research Council met with representatives of Japan to discuss research cooperation in the field of Bioengineering and Biotechnology on the 10th of October, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.

During the meeting, recent advances in the field of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Japan-Estonia collaboration, and bi- and multilateral funding possiblities between Estonia and Japan, as well as European Union and Japan were discussed. 

Estonia was represented by the Rector of the University of Tartu prof. Toomas Asser, Rector of Tallinn University of Technology prof. Tiit Land, Director of the Institute of Bioengineering prof. Mart Loog, Vice Director of the Institute of Bioengineering prof. Ilona Faustova, professors of the Institute of Bioengineering Andres Merits, Hannes Kollist, Kaspar Valgepea, Professor of Biosystems Engineering from Estonian University of Life Sciences Timo Kikas, professor of Biopolymer Chemistry from Tallinn University Rando Tuvikene, senior researcher from the Tallinn University of Technology Priit Eek, Director General Anu Noorma, Head of the Department of Strategic Analysis Marko Piirsoo, Deputy Head of International Research Cooperation Department Kristin Kraav, Senior Adviser for collaboration programmes with Japan Katrin Saar of the Estonian Research Council, Ambassador of Estonia to Japan Mait Martinson and Embassy of Estonia Counsellor Indrek Erikson.

Prof. Mart Loog, University of Tartu, Prof. Timo Kikas, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Prof. Rando Tuvikene, Tallinn University, Dr. Toshinori Kinoshita, Nagoya University, Prof. Yutaka Kuroda, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Prof. Andres Merits, University of Tartu, Senior researcher from the Tallinn University of Technologypresented the Recent advances in bioengineering and biotechnology in Estonia and Japan.

During the panel discussion moderated by prof. The rector of the Tallinn University of Technology Tiit Land, professors Kaspar Valgepea, Hannes Kollist and Ilona Faustova from the Institute of Bioengineering discussed Collaboration experiences between Estonia and Japan. 

Mr. Gijs Berends, Head of Science, Innovation, Digital, and Other EU Policies Section, Ms. Fumiko Oda, National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon programme, Dr. Judit Erika Magyar, Country Representative, EURAXESS Japan, Ms. Kumiko Kikuchi, Head of Overseas Fellowship Division, JSPS, Dr. Anu Noorma, Director General of Estonian Research Council, and Dr. Anu Noorma, Director General of Estonian Research Council provided a detailed overview of funding opportunities for Estonian-Japanese and EU-Japanese research cooperation.

We appreciate the help of the Embassy, Counsellor Indrek Erikson, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia in organizing valuable meetings during our visit to Japan.