Welcome to the 26th Hokkaido University – Seoul National University Joint Symposium. On behalf of Hokkaido University (HU), I would like to express my genuine excitement and pleasure to bring an on-site symposium back to Hokkaido after the online arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since my participation in the last year’s symposium at Seoul National University (SNU), I have waited for an opportunity to host this long-lasting inter-university academic event on our campus.

Although this year’s Plenary Session arrangement is slightly different from usual years, I hope it would give the symposium participants another opportunity to get inspired by interdisciplinary approaches towards a global issue, Sustainable Development for Future Generations – through this joint arrangement with the Forum on the Future for Children.

The 26th HU-SNU Joint Symposium welcomes familiar satellite sessions and new faces from Electronic Science, Geology, Information and Convergence Science and Technology, Medicine, Public Health, Agriculture, Aerospace Engineering, Science Education to Slavic-Eurasian Studies. Satellite sessions will be enlightening opportunities for students to make their debut on an international conference setting, gain experiences of poster presentations, or make friends with students in common fields of research from their counterpart university. Having realised research internships and laboratory visits by students followed some satellite sessions in past years, I am thrilled to notice session coverage of the Symposium is being expanded.

As one another aspect of the Joint Symposium, library staff members of both universities will have a week staff exchange programme. Partially sharing its agenda with Kasetsart University Library, Thailand, as a special participant this time, the two-way visit programme is self-designed by participating library staff members, and lets participants see daily working environments of those who are in similar positions in university libraries. Libraries are one of the most fundamental facilities for higher education institutions, and the staff development should hugely support its academics and students.

I hope all the Joint Symposium participants will enjoy the beautiful autumnal Sapporo campus of HU together with their counterparts, and truly look forward to the outcomes of this year!

I am thrilled to extend my warmest welcome to all participants as we come together for the 26th Hokkaido University-Seoul National University Joint Symposium. This year's symposium carries special significance as it unfolds on the Hokkaido University campus, marking yet another remarkable chapter in our enduring partnership.

Hokkaido University and Seoul National University have both shared a profound commitment to fostering academic exchange and research collaboration. Every year since year 1998, during our joint symposium, we have not only strengthened our institutional ties but also made significant contributions to the overarching goal of advancing knowledge and addressing the most critical challenges of our time.

In that sense, the theme of this year’s symposium, "Sustainable Development for Future Generations," is exceptionally relevant in our ever-evolving world. As academic leaders, we bear a profound responsibility to address the pressing issues that impact our planet, our societies, and the generations that follow. Sustainability is not just a catchphrase; it represents a fundamental commitment we must uphold to ensure a brighter future.

This symposium serves as a vital platform for scholars, researchers, and students to engage in meaningful dialogues, share knowledge, and establish collaborations aimed at advancing sustainable development. Together, we will explore innovative solutions to global challenges, ranging from carbon neutrality, climate change, and environmental preservation to issues such as public health, semiconductor materials, the sustainable development of Slavic-Eurasian Studies in Northeast Asia during crises, as well as convergence science and technology. Our collective wisdom, diverse perspectives, and collaborative efforts will be the driving force behind the positive changes we aspire to achieve.

Furthermore, I am pleased to mention that this year’s HU-SNU joint symposium is co-arranged with the "Forum on the Future for Children - Sustainable Development for Future Generations,” which receives support from various Japanese government agencies and is organized by distinguished scholars from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. This collaboration underscores our universities' shared commitment to addressing issues of societal and governmental concern. Both events provide an opportunity for engaging in meaningful discussions and advancing the dialogue on issues related to future generations. I look forward to seeing both events serve as platforms for enriching our understanding of these crucial topics.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in making these events a reality. It is through events like these that we continue to construct bridges of understanding and cooperation between our esteemed institutions.

I eagerly anticipate the enlightening discussions, fresh insights, and lasting connections that will emerge from this symposium. Together, let us embark on a journey toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for all generations.

Thank you, and may this symposium resonate with great success.