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Finland’s North Karelia and Japan’s Akita Launch Academic Research Collaborations in Forest Bio Economy

The Parties Begin Commerce and Regional Dialogues for Building a Triple-Helix-Model Cooperation.

By Naomi Moriyama

On March 23, 2025, Akita’s COI-NEXT SOUZOU-NO-MORI Project hosted the first Akita-North Karelia Symposium in Akita City.

The event program explained, “The first symposium focuses on the academic aspects of the development of the bioeconomy and discusses the current situation and challenges in both countries. By understanding the commonalities and differences between Finland, particularly the North Karelia region, and Japan, we aim to establish the foundation for future academic cooperation.”

Katsuhiko Takata, Project Leader, Akita COI-NEXT Platform, Professor, Akita Prefectural University
Markku Hauta-Kasari, Vice Dean, the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, University of Eastern Finland and Hiroo Fukuda, President, Akita Prefectural University
North Karelia Team
Jouni Pykäläinen, Professor, University of Eastern Finland
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Finland “Vision and Strategic Objectives 2035”
Shogo Kudo, Associate Professor, Akita International University
Ville Kortelainen, Development Manager, Forest Bioeconomy, Business Joensuu, Finland
Henri Vanhanen, Senior Scientist, Joensuu Office, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Jukka Tikkanen, Research Director, University of Eastern Finland
The First International COI-NEXT Symposium between Akita-North Karelia
Akita Delicacies
Reception
Akita Delicacies

Symposium Program

Welcome Remarks:Hiroo Fukuda, President, Akita Prefectural University

Opening Remarks: Katsuhiko Takata, Project Leader, Akita COI-NEXT Platform, Professor, Akita Prefectural University

Presentations

  1. Open Bioeconomy Planning for Rural Areas in Japan: Takanori Nagano, Associate Professor, Kobe University
  2. Development of Forest-based Bioeconomy in Finland, National Level and Connected to UE: Jouni Pykäläinen, Professor, University of Eastern Finland
  3. Nurturing Local Entrepreneurship in Akita COI-NEXT Platform: Shogo Kudo, Associate Professor, Akita International University
  4. Education Networks Connecting Bioeconomy in Finland: Jukka Tikkanen, Research Director, University of Eastern Finland
  5. Chemical Structures of Interphase in Citric Acid-based Wood Adhesion: Daisuke Ando, Assistant Professor, Akita Prefectural University, Japan
  6. Rethinking Timber Frame Connections: A Revisited Tree-Inspired Approach: Firas Hawasly, Assistant Professor, Akita Prefectural University, Japan
  7. Regional Cooperation: Connecting Education and Business: Ville Kortelainen, Development Manager, Forest Bioeconomy, Business Joensuu, Finland

Closing Remarks: Katsuhiko Takata, Project Leader, Akita COI-NEXT Platform, Professor, Akita Prefectural University

Photos Naomi Moriyama  写真 森山奈保美

Akita’s COI-Next Souzou no Mori Project: Co-Creating Well-Being through Forest Resources.

Led by Akita’s three public universities, harnessing forest resources for research-driven innovation and human capital development, revitalizing industry and economy, pursuing co-creating well-being
in the local community. https://en.akita-souzounomori.com/

Forest Joensuu is the triple-helix model of Forest Bioeconomy in North Karelia, Finland.

The BIOSYS North Karelia International Growth Ecosystem is run by Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus as a project lead, the Regional Council of North Karelia Pohjois-Karjalan maakuntaliitto, University of Eastern Finland and MKN Itä-Suomi | Rural Women´s Advisory Centre (RWAC) of Eastern Finland. The project is funded by Renewing and Competent Finland 2021–2027, EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme’s Just Transition Fund – JTF, and Regional Council of North Karelia.

Project Profile in Finnish
プロジェクト概要日本語　
Project Profile in English
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For more information, please contact Naomi Moriyama [email protected]