Four University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) students participated in the International Joint Summer Seminar 2024, held from August 5-8, 2024, at the University of Niigata Prefecture (UNP) in Japan. These students were John Michael S. Dumaran and Crista S. Recto from the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT), and Jon Bryx M. Ayag and Erika Emmanuelle P. Ferrer from the College of Human Ecology (CHE).

The event took place in Niigata Prefecture, a region celebrated for its prominent metal manufacturing industry, particularly in the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The seminar focused on the complexities of globalization and its effects on cities and communities around the world.

The UPLB students also engaged in a series of special lectures on sustainable development and the challenges posed by globalization. The program included field trips to Tsubame-Sanjo, collaborative sessions aimed at developing solutions for regional development challenges, and a cultural exchange program designed to enhance intercultural understanding.

This activity further strengthened the academic partnership between UNP and UPLB. (MDCVelasco)