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On October 3^rd, 2024, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, Rector of the University of Bonn, gave the special lecture “Encounters and Exchange: Why science (and societies) needs curiosity and openness,” at the Masaru Ibuka Auditorium, Waseda University. He discussed the basic attitudes to encourage scientific endeavors and to foster inter-regional research partnerships, taking the nearly 60-year collaboration between Waseda in Japan and the University of Bonn in Germany as an especially successful example. The President of Waseda University Aiji Tanaka, representatives and professors from Waseda University and the University of Bonn, visiting students from the University of Bonn, current students from Waseda, and others comprised the audience of around 120 people.

Rector Hoch alongside Mrs. Silvia Hoch, President Tanaka, Provost Koichi Suga, Professor Elwood

Nurturing Curiosity and Openness for Scientific Progressions

Rector Hoch giving his lecture

In his lecture, Rector Hoch explained two essential mindsets to nurture while conducting research: curiosity and openness. He quoted a famous line from Albert Einstein, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious,” to illustrate the necessity of fostering curiosity, especially in scientific research. He emphasized that it is important to cultivate curiosity in students to continue scientific discussions—to bring about new ideas and innovative solutions. On top of this, it is essential to approach these dialogues with an open mindset. He further emphasized that curiosity and openness are the keys to making scientific progress.

In addition, Rector Hoch highlighted that encounters and exchanges between researchers and students are as equally important to curiosity and openness. He noted, however, that differences in culture, ways of communication and underlying values among people can be difficult to overcome, but with openness, we should approach these challenges as opportunities to reach mutual understanding and learn about one another, as well as occasions to grow personally.

Rector Hoch emphasized that academic exchanges, such as those between Waseda and the University of Bonn, are essential for scientific progress, while nationalistic strategies are detrimental to scientific development as there is a risk that the carefully built academic bridges may become damaged and crumble. He also explained that we should maintain the long-held connections with fellow academics although they come from countries with different values. He added that countries that share the same values, such as Japan and Germany, should further strengthen their research collaborations despite the current geo-political and economic challenges.

In his closing statement, Rector Hoch further expressed his appreciation of the long-standing cooperation between the two universities, along with his hope for more fruitful partnerships in the years to come.

Discussion – Supporting Exchanges of Researchers and Students

Rector Hoch fielding questions

The lecture was followed by discussion session with the audience. Professor Masahiko Gemma, Vice President for International Affairs and International Fundraising of Waseda University, who opened the event with a welcome speech, was also the moderator for the discussion. Rector Hoch received several questions, including one related to the challenges of maintaining partnerships between a university in Japan and a university in Germany, and another about how to cope with the changing geo-political situation.

He answered that language barrier was a substantial challenge especially twenty years ago, but since English has been integrated into studies and thanks to the motivation of exchanges, the situation has improved significantly. He also explained the importance of building rapport between Professors, local students, and exchange students, to bridge communication and cultural divides among the lab members.

In the discussion, Rector Hoch further reiterated the importance of maintaining relations with academia from different countries, regardless of differences in ideology or the geo-political situation, even if these connections are maintained at an individual level and not at an institutional level. He expressed that there are possibilities in which political situations may change at unexpected times, so we should not cut all ties with other academics or researchers from those countries.

When asked by a student on how to keep curiosity despite one’s own challenges and shortcomings in research, Rector Hoch explained that there is no given recipe, but by staying curious, a small observation can lead to a significant and unexpected finding, which he referred to as a “discovery moment”. To conclude the discussion session, Rector Hoch reminded the students in the audience that life can be tough, but we must stay curious and open.

The Friendship between Waseda University and the University of Bonn

Rector Hoch explaining the history of Waseda/University of Bonn relations

Waseda University has a long-standing partnership with the University of Bonn which started in 1960 with an exchange cooperation between the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Arts (Oriental and Asian Studies). These partnerships were further strengthened by the establishment of a joint-research collaboration in life sciences between the Consolidated Research Institute for Advanced Science and Medical Care (ASMeW) of Waseda University and the Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) of the University of Bonn in 2006, and in recent years this expanded to include Tokyo Women’s Medical University – Waseda University Joint Institution for Advanced Biomedical Sciences (TWIns). In 2017, Waseda University and the University of Bonn signed a strategic partnership agreement between the two universities.

For his scholarly achievements and contributions in promoting joint research and exchange between Japan and Germany, Rector Hoch was awarded an honorary doctorate by Waseda University in 2017. In the week prior to his special lecture, Rector Hoch had the great honor of receiving the ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ from the Imperial House of Japan for his distinguished services to the academic partnerships between Japan and Germany.

This article was written by the following Student Contributor:
Janita Jaya
Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies