On Friday, March 7, 2025, The Institute of Tropical Agriculture of Kyushu University hosted the “Agricultural Science Facility Experience Program” at the Ito Campus. This event was held as part of a high school-university collaboration initiative, with 17 students and 3 teachers from Fukuoka Prefectural Itoshima Agricultural High School participating.
Itoshima Agricultural High School is one of three agricultural high schools in Fukuoka Prefecture. Located in the agriculturally rich Itoshima area, the school provides specialized agricultural education and has produced many graduates who contribute to the region’s agriculture and food industries.
The program included lectures, practical sessions, and facility tours led by faculty members from both the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Environmental Control Center for Experimental Biology, a co-hosting institution.
In the morning, Professor Hyakumura delivered a lecture introducing the Center’s education, research, and international cooperation activities. This was followed by a participatory workshop on “Rural Life in Tropical Regions,” during which students actively exchanged ideas and gained exposure to diverse perspectives and values. Associate Professor Hamaoka then gave a lecture titled “A Research Vision for International Co-Creation in Tropical Agriculture.” Beginning with familiar local agricultural topics, the lecture expanded to discuss challenges in tropical agriculture and themes of international collaborative research.
In the afternoon, Associate Professor Hamaoka gave a tour of the Ito Botanical Farm Facility, followed by a lecture and practical training by Professor Yoshida Satoshi of the Environmental Control Center for Experimental Biology.
