Two students from the Biology Program at the Faculty of Science and Technology, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Siti Lathifah Maulany and Dhanis Nuranggitasari (Class of 2017), were selected as participants in the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) 2021 International Web Conference with Hiroshima University. This event is part of the JST’s Sakura Science Exchange Program, where the host university in Japan collaborates with partner universities in Indonesia (specifically, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang) for discussions and knowledge sharing related to research and training in the field of Science and Technology.

In 2021, Hiroshima University, particularly the Marine Biological Laboratory Department, organized this webinar in collaboration with UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. The event took place over two days (December 2-3, 2021). A total of 70 participants attended, representing several Indonesian universities, including Malang, Surabaya, Jambi, Bandung, Semarang, and Yogyakarta. Among them, thirty students came from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.

During the conference, Hiroshima University introduced its Marine Biology Laboratory, and Professor Hiromi Takata from Ehime University presented research on the development and morphogenesis of sea urchins in the Hiroshima coastal area. Additionally, Professor Chisato Kitazawa from Yamaguchi University shared findings on the development and evolution of echinoderms in Japan. Participants also engaged in an Experimental Exhibition program related to genome editing, specifically CRISPR/Cas9 mutations in marine animals, including Ciona intestinalis.

Originally, this program would have involved an approximately 8-day visit to Japan, allowing students to conduct research in Japanese university laboratories and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. However, due to the pandemic, the Sakura Science Exchange Program was conducted online. Looking ahead, it is hoped that this program will continue, enabling active participation from the Faculty of Science and Technology in sending students and faculty members to Japan for further collaboration.