Here is your snap-shot of the Vice-Chancellor’s diary over the week. We hope this will provide an insight into the working life of the Vice-Chancellor, both in and around the University and representing the institution externally.
6-8 October
Don is in Japan this week. He has spent three days attending the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum (http://www.stsforum.org/). This event brings together Government Ministers, CEOs of global companies, university vice-chancellors, Nobel Prize Winners and others from around the world to discuss key developments in science and technology and implications for policy.
The picture shows Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe giving the opening speech on Sunday morning. As well as a number of targeted policy sessions, including one on Monday which Don chaired on capacity building in developing countries, it has been an opportunity to build on current partnerships with some of the attendees, and generate new contacts for the University.
Tuesday 8 October
Don will visit the University of Kyoto, one of our key Japanese partners, before heading to Tokyo and a meeting with UK Ambassador to Japan Tim Hitchens.
Wednesday 9 October
Don is giving an interview to the Nikkei newspaper before speaking at an event organised by the British Council on public engagement and research impact (http://www.britishcouncil.jp/en/events/public-engagement-research-impact-uk).
Thursday 10 October
Thursday sees a visit to another key Southampton partner, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and then dinner with the President of the Yokohama University. The day ends with a late evening video conference back to Southampton with the Joint Board of Moderators, who are at the University that day reviewing civil and environmental engineering and related subjects.
Friday 11 October
Don flies back to the UK.