From July 9th to 13th, 2023, a delegation consisting of five faculty members, two graduate students, and six undergraduate students from the School of Information Management, Wuhan University in China (Wuhan iSchool) visited the Graduate School of Library, Information, and Media Studies of the University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba iSchool) in Japan as a start of a new international exchange program. Faculty members include Mr. Xingrong Fu, the Head of Faculty, Mrs. Qian Dai, the Head of Student Administration, Professor Lihong Zhou, the Associate Dean of Wuhan iSchool, Professor Siluo Yang, the Associate Director of the Library Science Department, and Dr. Jinlong Shang, the Student Counselor.
On July 10th, faculty members from both iSchools discussed joint student programs and short-term exchange programs, which would encourage long-term cooperation between the two iSchools. Professor Atsuyuki Morishima, the Associate Dean of Tsukuba iSchool, moderated the discussion.
The Tsukuba iSchool showed the delegation from Wuhan iSchool around their laboratories conducting research in information retrieval, acoustic levitation, embodied knowledge, and public libraries. A tea party was held after the tour for students from both iSchools to discuss their studies, daily life, and cultures.
On July 11th, a workshop about "Digital Culture Services and Technology Innovation" was held. Two faculties and six students from Wuhan iSchool and two faculties and two students from Tsukuba iSchool presented their research at the workshop.
On July 12th, the delegation from Wuhan iSchool visited the National Diet Library of Japan. The guide from the National Diet Library introduced their library resource storage methods, the effects of environmental factors on book preservation, the technology used for borrowing and returning books, etc.
This exchange program has strengthened the friendship between Wuhan iSchool and Tsukuba iSchool. It is an initiative for iSchools to cooperate in the cultivation of top students and create a new pattern of iSchools’ international collaboration. This exchange program is a good start for global iSchools’ in-depth collaboration, communication, and coordination in the future.
Authors: Wei Feng (Wuhan University), Di Wang (Renmin University of China)
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