From May 19 to May 25, a delegation from NAIST, consisting of faculty and staff, led by Dr. Kazuhiro Shiozaki (President) and Dr. Jun Ohta (Vice President for Research and International Affairs) visited educational and research institutions and Japanese diplomatic offices in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. One of the main purposes of this visit was to hold the signing ceremony for the academic exchange agreement between NAIST and the Bern University of Applied Sciences(BFH), as part of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Nara Prefecture and Canton Bern.

 On Tuesday, May 20, the delegation paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Minoru Fujiyama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Switzerland, at the Embassy of Japan in Switzerland. In light of the evolving global landscape, both parties engaged in a substantive exchange of views on the importance of academic and educational collaboration between Japanese and Swiss universities. Ambassador Fujiyama expressed his strong expectations for the further advancement of such exchanges between BFH and NAIST.

 On the following day, the delegation from our university, together with representatives from the Nara Prefectural Government, visited the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine (Sitem-insel), the largest medical research institute in the Canton of Bern. Professor Neff from the University of Bern welcomed the delegation on behalf of Sitem-insel and presented the institute's latest research findings. This was followed by a discussion between Professor Neff and the delegation regarding the research outcomes and methodologies.

 In the afternoon of the same day, a ceremony was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement between the Canton of Bern and Nara Prefecture, and to mark the signing of an academic exchange agreement between BFH and NAIST.

 Governor Häsler of the Canton of Bern and Governor Yamashita of Nara Prefecture expressed their delight at the 10th anniversary of the friendship between the two regions. They reflected on the collaborative efforts undertaken thus far and voiced their expectations for the further deepening of exchanges between the Canton of Bern and Nara Prefecture.

 His Excellency Mr. Schurenberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Japan, expressed his hope that the exchange between Nara Prefecture and NAIST, and the Canton Bern and BFH would go beyond cultural dimensions and extend to include scientific collaboration as well. His Excellency Mr. Fujiyama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Switzerland, expressed his aspiration that the academic exchange agreement between BFH and NAIST would not remain confined to the Canton of Bern and Nara Prefecture, but would serve as a foundation for the realization of a sustainable future benefiting both the people of Japan and Switzerland. The signing ceremony of the academic exchange agreement was followed by an introduction of the past research exchanges between the two universities by the Rectors of BFH and the President of NAIST. After signing the academic exchange agreement, both presidents shared warm smiles and exchanged a firm handshakes to mark the occasion.

 At the dinner held afterward, government officials attended the event to promote more multifaceted exchanges among the participants. Ms. Bühler, President of the Bern Parliament, extended her congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement between the Canton of Bern and Nara Prefecture, as well as the academic exchange agreement between the BFH and NAIST.

 On Thursday, May 22, the delegation visited BFH and participated in a workshop aimed at fostering future collaboration.

 President Vorwaag of BFH outlined the primary areas of planned exchange with NAIST and discussed future prospects. President Shiozaki of NAIST presented the university's organizational structure and ongoing research projects, expressing his hopes for further development of collaboration across various fields, including current joint research initiatives.

 Following these presentations, faculty members and researchers from both institutions introduced case studies of their respective research. This was succeeded by more in-depth discussions focused on future research collaborations between the two universities.