IROAST Distinguished Professor Kontis pays a courtesy visit to President Harada

On December 10, 2018, IROAST Distinguished Professor Konstantinos Kontis from the University of Glasgow paid a courtesy visit to President Shinji Harada.

The University of Glasgow, the fourth-oldest university in the UK, is a member of the Russell group comprised of leading research universities in the UK, and also has a wide international network. The university produced many well-known people in various fields including economist Adam Smith, engineer inventor James Watt, surgeon Joseph Lister, seven Nobel Laureates, three British Prime Ministers, and the inaugural First Minister of Scotland. (The University of Glasgow: 69^th in World University Rankings 2019 - QS, 31^st in European Teaching Rankings 2018 - THE)

The College of Science & Engineering of the University of Glasgow has the longest history in the UK and has conducted world-class engineering education and research for more than 150 years. Since its establishment, it has produced many prominent figures such as Philologist Sir Kelvin, inventor James Watt, Henry Faulds, John Logie Baird and others. The School of Engineering to which Professor Kontis belongs has been cooperating with Japan for a long time and Henry Dyer, a Scottish engineer and graduate from the University, contributed to the establishment of the engineering department of the first Imperial University in Japan, the current University of Tokyo. The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow currently offers not only major academic disciplines such as aeronautics, civil engineering, electrical and electronics engineering and mechanical engineering, but also unique and wide disciplines such as biomedical engineering, product design engineering, music electronics engineering and construction and civil engineering.

The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow and the Institute of Pulsed Power Science of Kumamoto University concluded a department-level MoU in 2014. Professor Hamid Hosano, who was the Kumamoto University's coordinator for the MoU, currently serves as the host professor of IROAST Distinguished Professor Kontis.

In a discussion with President Harada, Prof. Kontis, Prof. Hosano and IROAST Director Hiyama exchanged opinions on expanding the current academic exchanges between the two universities. As a result of this visit, further exchanges are expected.

(From left) Prof. Hosano (IPPS), Prof. Kontis, President Harada, Director Hiyama

Prof. Kontis (left) and President Harada

(From left) Prof. Hosano (IPPS), Prof. Kontis, President Harada, Director Hiyama