On July 7, 2023, the "K-Share" community at Kyushu University organized a successful hybrid seminar, bringing together students from various fields to share knowledge and experiences. The event, held from 17:00 to 18:00 JST, aimed to provide insights into education, careers, and campus life in Japan, as well as foster collaboration opportunities among international students and Kyushu University students.
K-Share, short for Knowledge Share, is a community-driven initiative that focuses on promoting the exchange of research and knowledge among students. The letter "K" in K-Share also represents Kyushu University, highlighting the university's commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering academic cooperation.
The seminar featured a presentation by Mohamed S. Suliman, a Ph.D. student from the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences (IGSES) at Kyushu University. Suliman's research topic revolved around virtual power plants, a concept in energy management and power systems that involves coordinating decentralized, distributed energy resources as a unified system. Virtual power plants are aimed at facilitating the transition to cleaner energy production, stabilizing electricity prices, and maximizing social welfare.
The event attracted a total of 20 valid registrations out of the 21 received. Among the participants, 10 were from Kyushu University, while the remaining 10 hailed from universities outside of Japan. The diverse group consisted of 7 Ph.D. students, 5 master's students, and 8 bachelor's students. Notably, international students from Bangladesh, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom actively participated, showcasing the global reach of Kyushu University's academic community.
The hybrid seminar format allowed Kyushu University students to attend the event in person, while international students joined remotely through online platforms. This setup fostered an inclusive environment, enabling seamless participation for all attendees regardless of their physical location.
Mr. Forhad Hossain, the convener of K-Share and president of SCIKyu, hosted the program, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for the participants. Hossain's dedication and commitment to promoting knowledge sharing were evident throughout the event.
Following the seminar, participants were asked to provide feedback on the program. The organizers sought to gain insights into the effectiveness of the event, identifying areas of improvement for future initiatives. The feedback received will be used to refine and enhance the seminar format and topics for upcoming K-Share events.
K-Share and Kyushu University look forward to organizing future seminars, continuing to provide platforms for knowledge sharing, fostering cross-cultural connections, and promoting a global perspective in education and research. The success of this pilot program serves as a stepping stone toward achieving these goals, and the organizers are determined to build upon this momentum in the future.