Consul General Takeda’s Visit to Durham University
2026/10/16
On Friday 16th October, Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda visited Durham University, where he met and exchanged views with researchers from various fields who are engaged in international exchange and academic collaboration with Japanese universities and research institutions.
Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities), provided an overview of the university’s international engagement, particularly within the arts and humanities. Further insights were shared by Assoc. Prof Fusako Innami, Director of Japanese Studies, School of Modern Languages and Culture, and Assistant Professor Kaoru Umezawa, Japanese Studies, Centre for Foreign Language Study. Additionally, the Consul General congratulated Rachel Barclay, Senior Curator of the Oriental Museum, on her receipt of a Foreign Minister’s Commendation, and both parties affirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and partnership with the museum.
Consul General Takeda also learned about various research initiatives being conducted in collaboration with Japanese universities and research institutions—efforts fostered in part by "RENKEI" (the Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives), a program launched in 2012.
Discussions covered a wide range of projects, including: research on the impacts of climate change—such as avalanches, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves—by Professor Glenn McGregor (Department of Geography); research on agriculture and food security utilizing AI, robotics, and bees by Assoc. Prof Liina Riabina (Department of Biosciences) and Assoc. Prof Amir Atapour-Abarghouei (Department of Computer Science); research on space policy, with a focus on security and defense, by Assoc. Prof Bleddyn Bowen (Co-Director, Durham University Space Research Centre); and the inaugural Japan-UK Mathematics Research Conference, held this academic year, as described by Assistant Professor Kohei Suzuki (Department of Mathematics).
Many of these academic exchanges are supported by organizations such as The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. Consul General Takeda expressed his gratitude for this support and looks forward to the further promotion of academic exchange.
Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities), provided an overview of the university’s international engagement, particularly within the arts and humanities. Further insights were shared by Assoc. Prof Fusako Innami, Director of Japanese Studies, School of Modern Languages and Culture, and Assistant Professor Kaoru Umezawa, Japanese Studies, Centre for Foreign Language Study. Additionally, the Consul General congratulated Rachel Barclay, Senior Curator of the Oriental Museum, on her receipt of a Foreign Minister’s Commendation, and both parties affirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and partnership with the museum.
Consul General Takeda also learned about various research initiatives being conducted in collaboration with Japanese universities and research institutions—efforts fostered in part by "RENKEI" (the Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives), a program launched in 2012.
Discussions covered a wide range of projects, including: research on the impacts of climate change—such as avalanches, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves—by Professor Glenn McGregor (Department of Geography); research on agriculture and food security utilizing AI, robotics, and bees by Assoc. Prof Liina Riabina (Department of Biosciences) and Assoc. Prof Amir Atapour-Abarghouei (Department of Computer Science); research on space policy, with a focus on security and defense, by Assoc. Prof Bleddyn Bowen (Co-Director, Durham University Space Research Centre); and the inaugural Japan-UK Mathematics Research Conference, held this academic year, as described by Assistant Professor Kohei Suzuki (Department of Mathematics).
Many of these academic exchanges are supported by organizations such as The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. Consul General Takeda expressed his gratitude for this support and looks forward to the further promotion of academic exchange.