Report
From 20-21 February, we held the Kobe University UNESCO Chair Online International COVID-19 Conference. The 45 participants included faculty and a total of 33 students from Kobe University and the UNESCO Chair partner universities in four countries (Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia; National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan; Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand; and Universiti Tunku Abdal Rahman, Malaysia). The ten Kobe University students came from three different faculties and graduate schools. They enthusiastically made presentations in English and actively participated in discussion groups.
The two-day conference began with Alexander’s greetings and short presentation. We then watched short videos chosen by the students from each university about how to prevent COVID-19. The basic elements of preventing infection are the same in every country, but the differences in the cultures and approaches of the different countries visible in the videos were very interesting. The videos were followed by 10-minute presentations from each university focusing on COVID-19 and the theme of the Kobe University UNESCO Chair – gender and vulnerability in disaster risk reduction support. Ten minutes is a short time, but the presentations touched on a wide range of topics, including such things as differences between rural and urban areas, religious support, and the situation of LGBTQ+ people.
Most of our time and energy was spent in small group discussions and presentations. The groups of students from different countries, cultures and fields of study discussed gender and vulnerability focusing on (1) the most important issues; (2) what each person will do; (3) what to share with future generations. At the end, each group presented on their work. It was impressive that although each group discussed the same topics, their presentations focused on such different aspects as poverty or refugees/indigenous people, and others. Our understanding was further deepened by excellent comments from faculty members from all of the participating universities. According to the follow-up questionnaire and a report meeting with Executive Vice-President Sugimura, although the conference was held online, the students were not only able to gain new information and insights, but they were able to make new friends, too, making it a very worthwhile experience. Regardless of whether next time is online or in person, I hope we will be able to continue to share information and search together for solutions.
Schedule
February 20 - 21, 2021
Lecturers
- Ronni Alexander（Kobe University）
- Junko Okada（Kobe University）
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siriporn Wajjwalku（Thammasat University）
- Dr. Wanwalee Inpin（Mae Fah Luang University）
- Dr. Thanikun Chantra（Mae Fah Luang University）
- Miss Maya Dania（Mae Fah Luang University）
- Miss Reni Juwitasari（Mae Fah Luang University）
- Syahirul Alim, S.Kp., M.Sc., PhD.（Universitas Gadjah Mada）
- Ariani Arista Putri Pertiwi, S.Kep., Ns., MAN, DNP（Universitas Gadjah Mada）
- Uki Noviana, S.Kep., Ns., MNSc., PhD.（Universitas Gadjah Mada）
- Bayu Fandhi Achmad, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep.（Universitas Gadjah Mada）
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. HUANG Yuk Feng（Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman）
- Assistant Prof. Dr. TAN Kok Weng（Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman）
- Assistant Prof. Dr. LIM Ming Han（Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman）
- Assistant Prof. Dr. LEE Yee Ling（Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman）
- Senior Lecture Ar. Ts. QUAKE Huay Tin（Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman）
- Prof. Dr. Lu, Jinlong（National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology）
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sun, Jhih-Sian（National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology）
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tseng, Kuo-Tsung（National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology）
- Prof. Dr. Tseng, Wen Jui（National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology）
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yu, Huilung（National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology）
Student Participants
【Students' Reports】
- Ms. A, Faculty of Global Human Sciences (PDF)
- Ms. B, Faculty of Global Human Sciences (PDF)
- Ms. C, Faculty of Global Human Sciences (PDF)
- Ms. D, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (PDF)
- Ms. E, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (PDF)
- Ms. F, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (PDF)
- Ms. G, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (PDF)
- Ms. H, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (PDF)
- Ms. I, School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences (PDF)
- Mr. J, Faculty of Maritime Sciences (PDF)
Student Presentations (On-line)
About Kobe University UNESCO Chair Online International COVID-19 Conference 2020
Think about COVID-19 from the perspective of gender and vulnerability with from different countries, and participate together in workshops and training
Dates for 2020
February 20 - 21, 2021
Eligibility
Graduate and/or undergraduate students from the Faculty of Global Human Sciences, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Human Development, School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Maritime Sciences, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Intercultural Cooperation Studies, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies
Qualifications
Students from the above faculties, graduate schools who are able to communicate in English.
Schedule
・International COVID-19 Conference: 2021.2.20 (Saturday) – 21 (Sunday)
・On-demand study: 12/23 and 1/6 sessions from “Gender Equality and Gender” lecture
・Pre-conference study
・Post-conference meeting: 2021.3.2 (Tuesday)