On Monday, July 1, 2024, the Rector Giovanni Molari and the Vice President for International Relations Raffaella Campaner from the University of Bologna in Italy visited NITech.

Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the Western world. It currently has 31 faculties with 97,000 students (approximately 8,500 international students, including 98 Japanese students).

The connection between Nagoya Institute of Technology and the University of Bologna goes way back in 2008 when Distinguished Prof. KANDORI Hideki of the Graduate School of Engineering gave a lecture titled "Molecular Mechanism of Rhodopsins In Action" at the University of Bologna. Currently, Associate Prof. KATAYAMA Kota is conducting joint research on "Photochemical dynamics study of UV-sensitive cone pigment using time-resolved spectroscopy" with Dr. Marco Garavelli.

The President OBATA Makoto and the Executive Director IDO Yasushi welcomed the delegation, and Distinguished Prof. KANDORI recounted an episode about his stay in Bologna, and Associate Prof. KATAYAMA explained about the joint research with the University of Bologna.

Afterwards, the delegation made a laboratory tour for ITOIGAWA Fumihiro's laboratory and SANO Akihito and KAMIMURA Tomoya Laboratory

At ITOIGAWA laboratory, Dr. HIGUCHI Kazuo explained the high precision laser machining equipment and technology and at SANO laboratory, Assistant Prof. KAMIMURA explained the walking and running robots.

The Rector Giovani showed great interest in the differences in the teaching methods at the two universities.

As concrete measures for academic exchange were presented during the discussion, it is hoped that the relationship between the two universities will be further

Fourth from the left: Giovanni Molari, President of the University of Bologna
Third from the left: Raffaella Campaner, Vice-Rector for International Relations, University of Bologna
Third from the right: University President OBATA Makoto
Second from the left: IDO Yasushi, Executive Director (Education Planning, Information) and Vice President
Second from the right: Distinguished Professor KANDORI Hideki
First from the right: Associate Professor KATAYAMA Kota

Rector Giovanni Molari listened to an explanation of the high precision laser machining equipment and technology from Dr. HIGUCHI Kazuo in Professor Fumihiro ITOIGAWA's laboratory

Assistant Professor KAMIMURA Tomoya explained about the running robot to President Giovanni Molari at the SANO Akihito and KAMIMURA Tomoya Laboratory.