On April 27, 2026, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) jointly hosted the kickoff symposium for the "TRI-PhD SALON: Forum for Recruiting and Developing International PhD Talent" at AP Inno Gate Osaka.
As the demand for highly skilled talent continues to grow, Japan faces increasing challenges in attracting and retaining diverse research professionals. TRI-PhD SALON was established as a platform for universities, industry, and government to collaborate in supporting international PhD talent and strengthening Japan's research and innovation ecosystem.
About TRI-PhD SALON
TRI-PhD SALON (Triple-Helix Roundtable for International PhD Talent) is a platform that brings together industry, academia, and government to support the recruitment, development, and retention of international PhD talent in Japan.
At the opening of the symposium, Mr. Naoya Taniguchi, Representative of TRI-PhD SALON and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor in the Division for Career Development of NAIST's Institute for Educational Initiatives delivered welcoming remarks. He highlighted the importance of connecting the advanced expertise and global perspectives of international PhD talent with Japanese society and industry.
This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Mr. Kenji Saito Director-General, Intellectual Property and Global Talent Dept., JETRO and Ms. Yasuko Kumai, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office. Both speakers emphasized the vital role that highly skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds play in strengthening Japan's research capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
The keynote address was delivered by NAIST President Kazuhiro Shiozaki under the theme, "Power of Diversity: The Force of Co-Creation." In his presentation, he illustrated how collaboration among individuals with diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds can generate new values and drive innovation. He also stressed the importance of fostering an organizational culture that not only embraces diversity but actively leverages it as a source of strength.
During the program introduction session, Ms. Aya Puca, Vice Representative of TRI-PhD SALON and Professional Career Development Specialist at OIST, presented the initiative's objectives, activities, and future. She outlined the salon's vision for fostering stronger connections among universities, industry, and government to support international PhD talent in Japan.
The institutional showcase session featured presentations from four universities--The University of Osaka, University of Tsukuba, Hiroshima University, and Hokkaido University. Representatives introduced their initiatives for supporting international doctoral students, including career development programs, student support services, and collaborative projects with industry. The session provided participants with a range of practical examples and insights from across Japan.
In the special session, Ivan Mbogo, an alumnus of OIST and currently employed at Sysmex Corporation, shared his experiences of conducting research and building a career in Japan. He discussed how the specialized expertise, problem-solving abilities, and transferable skills developed during his doctoral studies have contributed to his professional growth and current role in industry.
The panel discussion explored the theme, "How Can Japanese Society Enhance International Competitiveness by Leveraging International PhD Talent?" The session featured distinguished panelists including Takuya Kitaoka (Vice President, Kyushu University), Young-il Kim (Senior Managing Director, Pharma Foods International Co., Ltd.), Takahiro Takada (Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology), Mariko Noguchi (Manager, C-ENGINE), and Felix von Drigalski (Global CTO, Mujin Corp). The discussion was moderated by Toshihide Yamashita (Specially Appointed Associate Professor and Head of the Career Services Office at NAIST).
Panelists discussed talent development, retention, the social application of research outcomes, and organizational culture. They emphasized the importance of university-industry collaboration and creating environments where diverse talent can fully contribute to innovation.
In the closing remarks, Caroline Benton (Executive Director at NAIST) summarized the key insights gained from the symposium and shared perspectives on future directions for advancing support for international PhD talent in Japan. Thomas Busch (Dean of Graduate School, OIST) emphasized that sustained collaboration among industry, academia, and government is essential to creating an environment in which international doctoral talent can thrive and make meaningful contributions to society.
Throughout the symposium, participants reaffirmed that promoting the success of international PhD talent is not solely a responsibility of universities, but a challenge that must be addressed collectively by industry, government, and society. Many participants expressed strong interest in continuing opportunities for information exchange, collaboration, and network building beyond this inaugural event.
Looking ahead, TRI-PhD SALON will continue to provide seminars, study sessions, case-sharing opportunities, and networking events to support international PhD talent in maximizing their potential within Japanese society. Through this initiative, NAIST and OIST will further promote co-creation among industry, academia, and government, contributing to the enhancement of Japan's research excellence, innovation capacity, and global competitiveness.
