The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Visits Sophia University to Establish a Partnership and Interact with Students
On February 20, Dr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Yotsuya Campus during his stay in Japan as a guest of honor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Upon his visit, a signing ceremony of the “Practical Arrangements,” a document established to launch future cooperation between the IAEA and Sophia university was held, followed by an interaction session with current Sophia students.
Dr. Grossi visited Japan for three days from February 18 to 20. The visit to Sophia was arranged between his busy schedule of site visits to nuclear facilities in Niigata and Fukushima prefectures, meetings with the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Minister of the Environment, and a lecture at Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).
This visit was prompted by a visit to the IAEA headquarters in Vienna by President Yoshiaki Terumichi in January of this year, where he met with Mr. Toshio Kaneko, Special Assistant to the Director General, and discussed the possibility of sending Sophia students to the IAEA as interns, which led to this partnership.
The signing ceremony was attended by President Terumichi, Prof. Takashi Irohara, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Takashi Okada, Vice President for Academic Research Affairs from Sophia University, with Dr. Grossi, Mr. Kaneko, and Mr. Diego Candano, Senior Advisor to the Director General from the IAEA, as well as H.E. Mr. Atsushi Kaifu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna.
The discussion at the ceremony covered topics such as how to apply atomic energy to benefit our daily lives, and with the signing, it was confirmed that Sophia University and the IAEA will cooperate in various aspects, including exchange of personnel and research activities, with the aim of contributing to the international community.
This was followed by an exchange session with current students, which was attended by 15 graduate students and young researchers, mostly pursuing international relations and environmental studies. Moderated by Professor Yasuhiro Ueki, Professor by Special Appointment and the Director of Human Resource Center for International Cooperation, Dr. Grossi gave a keynote address outlining the IAEA’s activities.
In addition to the IAEA’s best-known activities to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to enhance the safety and security of nuclear energy, the lecture covered the IAEA’s efforts to improve access to cancer radiotherapy in developing countries, to develop nuclear technology to improve the environmental impact of food and agriculture, to track marine plastics, and to promote the use of recycled nuclear energy sources. It also highlighted the IAEA’s efforts to address global issues in cooperation with various experts outside the Agency, including medical professionals and scientific experts.
In the second half of the discussion, students from different backgrounds raised questions from various perspectives, including the status of cancer treatment assistance in Africa, the method of disclosure of environmental data for Fukushima ALPS-treated water, the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to ensure sustainable energy in island regions and developing countries, and measures for cooperation with countries and regions that are uncooperative with IAEA activities, and Dr. Grossi gave specific responses to each question and comment, addressing current prospects and future issues.
In closing, Dr. Grossi expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is a privilege to study and conduct research at a university that actively engages in international cooperation and collaboration with global organizations. I hope you will continue to make the most of this environment and these opportunities as you work towards your future goals.”
With the signing of this Practical Arrangements, Sophia will continue to work together with the IAEA to establish the internship agreement, and to further strengthen our collaboration.