On April 24, 2012, we received guests from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). UTS Vice President Attila Brung, Executive Manager of Strategic Partnerships Innes Ireland, and Director of International Engagement Leo Mian Liu visited NAIST as part of their trip to Japan to establish partner schools. The delegation identified NAIST as a strong candidate for cooperation and requested this opportunity.

At a courtesy visit to the Vice President, Executive Director Atsuhiko Shinmyo, Vice President Mikio Kataoka and Director of Center for International Relations Steven Nishida welcomed the delegation. First general introductions of both universities were given, followed by discussions concerning the possibility of future exchange.

After the courtesy visit, International Committee Chairman Hisaji Maki introduced the Graduate School of Biological Science and its activities, Prof. Hirotada Mori then gave an explanation of his own research at his Laboratory of Systems Microbiology, and in closing, Dean Kotaro Minato and Prof. Kenji Sugimoto presented an outline of the Graduate School of Information Science and its research, along with a demonstration of the humanoid robot "Actroid" and a robot arm.

Through this visit the UTS delegation was able to better understand NAIST's specific research areas and the representatives of both institutions discussed future opportunities for exchange between the universities. The exchange was very promising for both sides.