The delegation of social workers from Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan visited NAIST as part of a training program sponsored by the Foundation for the Welfare and　Education of the Asian People on May 31st. Since 1978, the Foundation has run this training program which is a study visit of Japan for the people involving in projects for orphans or single-parent families in Asian countries in order to deepen mutual understanding of each country's welfare system.

They were welcomed by President Isogai, who greeted them with a speech. Vice President Kidode introduced NAIST briefly.

Afterwards, the members of the Robotics Laboratory introduced and demonstrated aspects of their research which could be applied to social welfare: an assistant device with Pneumatic Rubber Artificial Muscles, Actroid, a humanoid robot and an intelligent wheelchair which can be controlled by using both face direction and gaze direction.