【Read More About Days 1-3 Here】

This year’s program focused on the theme “Climate Actions and Clean Energy Transition in the European Union: Collaboration and Co-creation toward a Carbon Neutral Society.” Participants explored climate change mitigation measures and the transition to clean energy in Europe.

Day 4 (Ostend, Belgium)

Participants visited the coastline in Ostend and observed the offshore wind turbines located in the North Sea. Seeing the vast array of wind turbines stretching across the sea provided a firsthand impression of Belgium's ongoing transition toward renewable energy. The group then visited Daikin Europe's Ostend factory, where they toured the heat pump production lines, automated manufacturing facilities, and various initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.

In addition, the participants had the opportunity to visit the home of Mr. Tim, who had introduced Daikin's products during the factory tour. His house is equipped with a Daikin Altherma heat pump system, including a model that uses propane as a refrigerant. Through this visit, participants learned how homeowners can transition from conventional gas boilers to heat pumps without making significant modifications to existing heating infrastructure, such as radiators, while integrating heating, cooling, and hot water supply into a single system. The visit also demonstrated how such technologies can contribute to decarbonization efforts in the residential sector.

Furthermore, the experience highlighted that the energy transition is supported not only by government policies and corporate initiatives, but also by the choices made by individual citizens regarding home renovations and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This provided valuable insight into the important role that households play in advancing a sustainable and low-carbon society.

Day 5 (Brussels, Belgium)

On the final day of the program, the participants visited the European Commission to learn about the European Union’s climate action and decarbonization policies. They gained insights into the EU’s comprehensive approach to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, centered on the European Green Deal, and developed a deeper understanding of how environmental, economic, and industrial policies are being advanced in an integrated manner.

The group then visited JETRO Brussels, where they received a briefing on its role in monitoring and analyzing developments in EU decarbonization policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as providing relevant information to Japanese companies. The session enhanced their understanding of the impact of European policy trends on Japanese businesses and the potential for decarbonization initiatives to create new business opportunities.

【Read More About Days 1-3 Here】

[Information on the On-site Group Work 2026: Open Forum](Japanese only)

【Read More About Days 4-5 Here】

From August 16 to 23, 2026, the On-site Group Work training program was conducted in Belgium.
This year’s program focused on the theme “Climate Actions and Clean Energy Transition in the European Union: Collaboration and Co-creation toward a Carbon Neutral Society.” Participants explored climate change mitigation measures and the transition to clean energy in Europe.

As climate change continues to intensify, achieving a decarbonized society has become a shared global challenge. During the program, participants visited and learned from a wide range of initiatives undertaken by businesses, universities, government agencies, and citizens. These experiences provided valuable insights into the importance of collaboration and co-creation among diverse stakeholders in advancing the transition toward a carbon-neutral society.

Day 1 (Ghent, Belgium)

The program began with a visit to the DENV Research & Development Center located on the campus of Ghent University. The facility, which has received BREEAM certification, one of the world's longest-established environmental assessment and certification schemes for buildings, provided participants with an opportunity to tour testing rooms used for acoustic and climate performance evaluations. Participants also learned about research and development activities related to HVAC technologies, including heat pumps.

The center is engaged in developing products tailored to the environmental conditions of different regions around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Through the visit, participants gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of technological innovation in supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral society.

Students also attended a session led by a representative of the Belgian Federal Government, who provided an overview of Belgium's energy policy. The session highlighted the country's recent policy shift from its former nuclear phase-out strategy toward a balanced approach that combines expanded nuclear power generation with renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind power, to enhance both energy security and decarbonization efforts.

In addition, students learned about the construction of the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island, the world's first artificial energy island serving as an offshore wind power transmission hub in the North Sea. The project aims to strengthen Belgium's role as an energy hub both domestically and across Europe. This introduction provided valuable context for the site visits and discussions that followed throughout the remainder of the program.

Day 2 (Ghent, Belgium)

On the second day, students visited Green Office Ghent, an organization at Ghent University that promotes sustainability through collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. They learned about a wide range of initiatives aimed at advancing a more sustainable society across the university, including reducing air travel, encouraging vegetarian meal options, promoting cycling as a mode of transportation, and supporting the use of fair-trade products.

Participants were particularly impressed by Green Office Ghent's practical and sustainable approach to implementing change. For example, cost savings achieved through energy efficiency measures are reinvested into new sustainability projects, creating a self-sustaining funding mechanism. The organization also emphasizes evidence-based decision-making by using pilot projects and experimental initiatives to build consensus before translating successful practices into formal university policies. This process helps ensure the long-term integration of sustainability initiatives within the institution.

The visit highlighted that promoting sustainability requires not only effective policies and technological innovation but also meaningful changes in individual behavior. Students gained a renewed appreciation for the important role that personal actions and collective engagement play in driving sustainable transformation.

Day 3 (Ghent, Belgium)

On the third day, we visited the Ham Power Plant, a facility with a history spanning more than 100 years.
Originally operated as a coal-fired power plant, the facility now serves as an important energy infrastructure asset supporting the transition to a decarbonized society. It operates a district heating system, supplying hot water heated at the plant (approximately 85-100°C) to the city, while also providing electricity and heat efficiently through combined heat and power (CHP) generation fueled by natural gas. Through these initiatives, the plant continues to play a key role in ensuring a stable energy supply during the transition toward a low-carbon future.

Studentｓ also learned that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are inherently dependent on weather conditions and time of day, making flexibility and balancing capacity essential for maintaining grid stability. To address fluctuations in renewable generation, the plant utilizes gas turbine generators based on aircraft engine technology, which can start up within approximately 10 to 15 minutes and rapidly compensate for shortfalls in electricity supply. Observing how aircraft-engine-derived equipment can generate energy at a scale large enough to support an urban power system also gave participants a greater appreciation of the vast amount of energy consumed by large commercial aircraft during takeoff.

In the afternoon, we visited the Muide-Meulestede Living Lab in northern Ghent. This district is pursuing decarbonization initiatives while maintaining its port and industrial functions, including the promotion of sustainable transportation, expansion of green spaces, and development of energy-efficient housing.

The area consists largely of small terraced houses, where the introduction of individual heat pumps presents challenges such as noise, limited installation space, and high upfront costs. As a result, the potential for energy transition through district heating systems is being actively explored.

We also learned about ongoing demonstration projects carried out within the Living Lab framework, which brings together residents, local government, universities, and private companies to address regional challenges while advancing decarbonization goals. These initiatives provided valuable insights into participatory urban development and how stakeholder collaboration can contribute to achieving a carbon-neutral society.

【Read More About Days 4-5 Here】

At the Open Forum on September 4, students will present the issues they identified during their On-site training and their proposed solutions.
[Information on the On-site Group Work 2026: Open Forum](Japanese only)

Harvard Summer School (HSS) in Kyoto was successfully held at Doshisha University's Imadegawa Campus. The program lasted approximately eight weeks, from June 8 to July 31.

This year, ten Harvard students participated in this program, and took two academic courses: “Cinema in Japan” taught by Professor Alexander Zahlten and “Japanese Architecture” taught by Professor Yukio Lippit. In addition to classroom lectures, students went on various field trips related to the course content. Through visits to Nara, Byodoin Temple, and Tairyu Sanso, as well as activities such as wearing yukata and trying pottery making, students deepened their understanding of Japanese history and culture.

The study partners contributed to the program not only by sharing their perspectives and insights as local students in class, but also by helping HSS students learn about Japanese culture and day-to-day life. The study partners were greatly inspired by the HSS professors and students and learned a great deal from them. Outside of classes and field trips, they actively interacted with one another and strengthened their friendships. HSS students and Doshisha study partners built strong bonds and friendships by spending a fulfilling eight weeks together.

On the last day of the program, the farewell party was held at the French restaurant “Will” in the Kambaikan Building. HSS professors, HSS students, Doshisha study partners, and host families who welcomed the HSS students attended the party. All the participants shared their memories and laughed together until the very last moment. The program concluded in a cheerful atmosphere filled with smiles and fond memories.

This is an important announcement regarding status of residence procedures for students who hold a "Student" status of residence and were admitted to Doshisha University through any admission process other than the Examination for International Students.

Submission of Residence Card and Contact Information【Ｍandatory for all students】

Submission deadline

By 5:00 p.m. JST. Friday, September 25, 2026

Details

Please attach photos of both the front and back of your residence card, as well as a photo of your student ID, to the “Residence Card Image Submission Format (Excel)” file.
Then, complete the required information in the submission form and submit it accordingly.

Submission document and web form

Please insert and paste the images of "Residence Card" and "Student ID Card" in the document above and upload it via the following web form. (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )

Submission of the Doshisha University International Student Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (for interested applicants only)

Submission deadline

By 5:00 p.m. JST. Friday, September 25, 2026

Details

Please make sure to check the details of how to submit this web form on the webpage of orientation for newly enrolled international students.

Submission document and web form

Please fill in the "Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (Excel)" above and access the web form below, enter your personal information: faculty or graduate school, contact information, and upload the "Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (Excel)". (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )

Application form of Doshisha University Merit Scholarships for Self-Funded International Students (for interested applicants only)

Submission deadline

By 5:00 p.m. JST. Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Details

Students who took the exam for International Students, ILA, ISTC or Business School (GBMS), etc. and who were already selected to receive this scholarship or receive a notification of "not granted" don’t need to submit this form.

Eligible applicants

You must meet all the conditions below.

Submission document and web form

Please fill in the word file above and upload it to the web form. (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )

A research team at the Acoustic Navigation Research Center, Doshisha University, including Dr. Soshi Yoshida, has found that greater Japanese horseshoe bats modify the frequency of their constant-frequency (CF) echolocation calls when mixed with a population using a different CF, eventually converging on the same frequency.The study fills an important gap in research on population mixing of CF bats, providing more information to species behaviorists, robotics engineers, and other innovators working on biomimetics and bio-inspired technologies.


Reference

Haruhito Matsumoto, Soshi Yoshida, Shizuko Hiryu, Greater Japanese horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus nippon) gradually converge their echolocation call frequency to colony members,Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 2026
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-026-01821-5

For more details, please see the website of Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University.
https://research.doshisha.ac.jp/news/news-detail-105/

This achievement has also been featured in “EurekAlert!”
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1137476

Image title: Images of the greater Japanese horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus nippon) in flight.
Image caption: New research reveals that mixed wild- and captive-populations of the greater Japanese horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus nippon) display frequency convergence behaviors in a major echolocation frequency, thereby reducing acoustic interference from members of the same colony and improving species sensing.
Image Credit: Photo by Soshi Yoshida, used with permission
Image link: Original Content
Usage restrictions: Cannot be used without permission

The classes of the Fall semester in AY 2026 begin with on-demand classes on Friday, September 25, followed by face-to-face classes on Friday, October 2 as scheduled in the academic calendar. Please continue to regularly check “Announcements from the University” on the Doshisha University Electronic Tutorial System (DUET), the Doshisha University Web Portal, the websites of the university and your faculty/graduate school to ensure you do not miss any important information or notices.

1.Classes held at Doshisha University

2. Class Format and Course Registration Schedule

Regardless of the class format, it is important to carefully read the program guide, registration guidelines, etc. for your faculty/school and make a solid course registration plan.
For course registration, check in advance whether the courses for which you will register require general registration or advanced registration.

3. Notices about Classes and University Announcements

4. Sales of Textbooks

5. Self-study Spaces for Online Classes on Campus

6. Copyright and Privacy Protection in Classes

Hearing loss affects communication, learning, independence, and social well-being. While cochlear implants have transformed treatment for severe hearing impairment, they require surgery and are often associated with post-operative complications. They also rely on electrical stimulation, which can limit their precision. Researchers are therefore exploring whether applying optical neural stimulation through brain-machine interfaces can mitigate these limitations. However, the effect of laser stimulation applied through the tympanic membrane is largely understudied.A research team led by Prof. Kohta I. Kobayasi of the Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences and Dr. Yuta Tamai of the Acoustic Navigation Research Center, Doshisha University, demonstrated for the first time that trans-tympanic infrared laser stimulation of the cochlea evokes reliable auditory-guided behaviour in awake Mongolian gerbils without the need for genetic modification or invasive surgical implantation.

Reference

Yuta Tamai, Miku Uenaka, Aya Okamoto, Yuki Ito, Kaito Fukada, Ayase Kawasaki, Takaki Shintani, Riko Nakagawa, Koji Toda, Shizuko Hiryu, Kohta I. Kobayasi, Optical induction of auditory perception via cochlear stimulation in Mongolian gerbils without genetic modification,iScience, 2026 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.116588

This achievement has also been featured in “EurekAlert!”
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136516

Image title: Trans-tympanic Infrared Laser Stimulation Evokes Auditory-Like Perception in Mongolian Gerbils 
Image caption: Top: Gerbils learned that both sound (blue) and laser stimulation (red) predicted a water reward, with similar learning curves. Middle: Loud background noise weakened responses driven by both sound (blue) and laser stimulation (red), suggesting that the laser signal was linked to hearing. Bottom: Gerbils trained with sound also responded to laser stimulation, suggesting that laser stimulation created a sound-like sensation.
Image credit: Dr. Yuta Tamai and Professor Kohta I. Kobayasi from Doshisha University, Japan 
Image source link: https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)01963-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004226019632%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
License type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restriction: Credit must be given to the creator.

Doshisha University

Report and Apology Regarding Handling of Personal Information

We have recently discovered a deficiency in the handling of data containing personal information at our university. We would like to report the details below and sincerely apologize for having caused such a situation.

1．Overview of the Incident
Regarding one of the Microsoft 365 information-sharing platforms (SharePoint) used for academic affairs at the university, access rights should have been restricted only to those who required them for their duties. However, due to a configuration error, from 8 ^th October 2025 to 16 ^th April 2026, holders of the university accounts (all students, faculty, and administrative staff, as well as those authorized by the university to hold an account) were able to access files within the said SharePoint.

2．Scope of Impact
Only university account holders were able to access the files in the said SharePoint; there was no external access. Furthermore, having reviewed the access logs, we have individually confirmed with all individuals who may have accessed the files in question that they have not retained the data, have not made any copies (such as screenshots), and have not provided it to any third parties. At this point, no secondary damage resulting from this incident has been identified, and we do not believe that there is any risk in the future.

3．Personal Information Contained in the Files

^{※All above include individuals who are not currently enrolled or employed at our university due to graduation, resignation, retirement or other reasons.
※Faculty and administrative staff include non-full-time personnel.
※In addition to the above, there are cases where the university is contacting individuals separately.}

4．Cause and Preventive Measures
This incident occurred due to a mistake involving incorrect privacy settings in SharePoint. Going forward, we will thoroughly strengthen the verification system for maintaining appropriate security levels for data storage. Furthermore, we will raise awareness among faculty and administrative staff in order to strictly enforce personal information protection and information security measures, and we will strive to prevent any recurrence. 

5．Inquiries
As mentioned above, no secondary damage from this incident has been confirmed at this moment, and we do not believe that there is any risk in the future. However, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the inquiry desk below.

[Inquiry Desk]
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TCFes9mWCg

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