2021.11.15

On October 22 (Fri), Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT) held the 6th International Conference on Science of Technology Innovation 2021 (6th STI-Gigaku 2021) online.

STI-Gigaku is an international conference mainly organized by our students, with the purpose of promoting efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference is dedicated to bringing together all its respective parties—NUT, KOSEN (National Institute of Technology/College of Technology), universities in Japan and overseas, and companies/research institutes—to provide opportunities to facilitate the discussion of issues and solutions on global topics by sharing progress and achievements in education and research collaboration.

This year, for the 6th STI-Gigaku, the plenary session was held jointly with the International GIGAKU Conference in Nagaoka (IGCN 2021)* and was attended by 326 people (14 countries) from universities in Japan and overseas, KOSEN, companies/research institutes, and other organizations, adding momentum to efforts to achieve the SDGs.

In the research presentation session, participants presented SDGs-focused research, including joint research between KOSEN and NUT, in which presenters were required to specify which of the SDGs their research focused on. In addition to providing opportunities for KOSEN students to experience the atmosphere of research presentations at an international conference, the event served as a platform for lively exchange and opinion sharing. Ten outstanding presentations were awarded the “Best Research Presentation Award by Sumitomo Riko Company Limited,” and 24 presentations received the “Best Research Presentation Award.” In place of a Research Laboratory Tour, which was cancelled to prevent the spread of COVID-19, opportunities were provided as “The dankai (Round–table talk)” for a wide-ranging, meaningful exchange of opinions, during which our students had the change to interact with participants.

Despite being held online, the conference was a great success owing to the efforts of the companies that sponsored or supported the event, and all of those who participated or lent their support on the day. We would like to thank you for your kind support.

We will continue to hold the International Conference, and will work together across disciplinary boundaries to promote efforts to achieve the SDGs with various related organizations.

Overview of the program, award winners
https://sites.google.com/view/6th-sti-gigaku2021

*IGCN 2021 / Plenary Session presenters
https://www.nagaokaut.ac.jp/e/topics/202110/211029.html

Group photo of award winners

Group photo at the closing ceremony