Robert Gordon University to host second cohort of Japanese students

A group of 10 Japanese students will spend a month studying at Robert Gordon University (RGU) as part of a respected international development programme, following on from a hugely successful pilot in 2016.
 
The Masters students, from seven different universities in Japan, will spend four weeks at RGU as part of the Nippon Foundation Ocean Innovation Consortium Summer School 2017, studying modules led by RGU staff on marine engineering, oil and gas, and offshore renewables, from August 11 to September 8.
 
The group will also spend five days at the subsea training and trials facility, The Underwater Centre, in Fort William as well as taking part in a packed cultural itinerary which will see them visit Edinburgh and tour a whisky distillery in Moray.  
 
The students’ visit coincides with the biennial Offshore Europe conference at the city’s Exhibition Centre where they will have the chance to meet and network with industry professionals from across the world. 
 
As part of the programme, students will be asked to develop their own project addressing industry issues and will then present their findings to industry and the university.
 
The Nippon Foundation, a social innovation grant organisation, is leading the effort to enhance capacity building in offshore engineering in Japan and both the students and RGU faced a competitive selection to be involved in the initiative when the scheme began in 2016.
 
The subsea industry in Japan is rapidly developing and the country is increasingly looking to Aberdeen as a centre for subsea excellence.
 
The Principal of RGU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, said: “We are thrilled that, after such a successful programme last year, we are once again working with the Nippon Foundation to host students from esteemed universities across Japan.  
 
“As a university which specialises in oil and gas related teaching and research, as well as clean energies, we feel we have a lot to offer the students during their visit and very much hope they enjoy their time with us in Aberdeen.
 
“We have a packed itinerary for their four weeks which includes a mix of classroom learning, hands on experience and, of course, a sample of Scottish culture for them to enjoy.”
 
Head of the Office of Marine Development Capacity Building at the Nippon Foundation, Masanori Yoshida, said: “We are pleased to send 10 Japanese students from various universities as part of the second Nippon Foundation Ocean Innovation programme in cooperation with RGU.
 
“In the send-off party in July, I asked the students to do three things: ‘learn a lot,’ ‘enjoy a lot,’ and ‘make a lot of friends.’ With their high motivation and great support by staff of RGU, I believe that they will achieve these goals with ease.”