Symposium titled "Open Science and Universities" held at the University of Tsukuba

A symposium titled "Open Science and Universities" was held in Room 110 at the Laboratory of Advanced Research A on November 21. It was organized by the Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science, the Graduate School of Library, Information and Media Studies, and the Research Center for Knowledge Communities.

The movement of Open Science, which promotes research data sharing to foster a creation of new knowledge and values, has drawn attention in recent years. Inviting experts from outside the university, the symposium aimed to provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange opinions about what role should universities play to promote Open Science.

The symposium started with an opening speech by Vice President for Research Hideo Kigoshi. He talked about the university's efforts to promote Open Science, and expressed his expectations for the symposium.

Professor Takashi Hikihara (Director-General of the Kyoto University Library Network) then gave a keynote lecture. He explained Kyoto University's efforts to promote Open Science, including the establishment of Kyoto University Open Access Policy. Kyoto University was the first in Japan to have established the Open Access Policy, getting ahead of the times.

The following four panelists then made presentations on what they think Open Science is: Kazuhiro Hayashi (Senior Research Fellow, Science and Technology Foresight Center, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)); Satoshi Itoh (Director, Materials Data Platform Center (DPFC), Research and Services Division of Materials Data and Integrated System (MaDIS), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)); Nobuko Miyairi (Asia Pacific Regional Director, ORCID); and Hiroshi Itsumura (Professor, Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science).

After the presentations, a discussion session was held to exchange opinions among the panelists and attendees. The three-hour symposium ended in a great success.

Looking ahead to the future society with Open Science, the University of Tsukuba intends to continue its efforts to fulfill its role as a national university, and to improve the knowledge base that would lead to create innovation.