To strengthen international academic collaboration, National Chung Cheng University (CCU) in Taiwan officially established a sister-school partnership with Kanazawa University in Japan at the end of 2024. This collaboration kicked off with academic exchange programs in February 2025, focusing on research and cooperation in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Deepening Academic Ties Through the Winter School Program

The first exchange event began with Kanazawa University’s Winter School, organized by the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology. This program attracted 11 scholars and students from Taiwan, Singapore, and Mongolia, including three students from CCU’s Paleoenvironment Laboratory. They were mentored by 10 Kanazawa University professors during the event.

Over the course of seven days, participants engaged in diverse scientific courses and experiments, including: analyzing pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, testing the effects of pollutants on sea urchin fertilization and examining PM10 air pollution levels across Asia. Additionally, participants visited the Low Level Radioactivity Laboratory, located 15 km from Kanazawa University’s main campus. They observed a radio gamma-ray spectrometer, constructed using materials from a World War II battleship and historical lead tiles from Kanazawa Castle, to better understand low-level radioactive materials in the environment.

Beyond academics, Kanazawa’s rich cultural heritage also left a strong impression. Participants explored Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and Kanazawa Castle, built in 1583. They also strolled through the city’s historic teahouse districts.

During the winter school, a rare heavy snowfall, the most severe since 2018, altered some outdoor activities. However, for students from Taiwan’s subtropical climate, experiencing such a snowfall was an unforgettable moment. And the students also took the opportunity to inquire about exchange programs at Kanazawa University, gathering valuable information about accommodation, living expenses, and study environments for future academic exchanges.

Kanazawa University Visits Taiwan: Exploring Geology and Mountaineering Culture

In a reciprocal visit, Professor Hasebe Noriko and Associate Professor Robert Jenkins from Kanazawa University, along with six students, traveled to Taiwan for a nine-day academic exchange starting February 25, 2025. CCU’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences organized a series of geological and cultural activities to introduce Taiwan’s unique geological landscapes and mountaineering culture to the Japanese delegation.

Field Studies: Comparing Taiwan and Japan’s Geology

As part of the geology-focused academic exchange, CCU professors led the Kanazawa University delegation to key geological sites across Taiwan, including: conducting core drilling to study sediment history in Nantou’s Toushe Basin, observing marine fossil layers and examining landslides caused by Taiwan’s devastating 1999 earthquake in Caoling and Zhanghu Scenic Area , exploring mud volcanoes and badlands in Kaohsiung’s Moon World and learning about Taiwan’s prehistoric fossils in Zuozhen Fossil Museum. The exchange ended with a visit to CCU’s Seismology Education Center, where Kanazawa students experienced a simulation of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake at magnitude 5 intensity, lasting one full minute.

Interestingly, the students noted that the shaking felt similar to the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake that affected Kanazawa University. This realization reinforced the shared seismic risks between Taiwan and Japan, as both countries lie along active tectonic boundaries. Through these field studies and discussions, participants gained deeper insights into the similarities and differences in geological structures, earthquake activity, and sedimentary environments of the two regions.

Looking Ahead: Expanding International Collaboration

This academic exchange demonstrated the strong potential for future cooperation between CCU and Kanazawa University. Both institutions aim to further strengthen their partnership, promoting diverse research initiatives and academic exchange programs. Through these collaborative efforts, CCU and Kanazawa University hope to enhance global academic engagement and contribute to scientific advancements, forging an even closer academic alliance in the years to come.