Soil CRC PhD student Harleen Kaur (University of Newcastle) recently participated in a two-way student exchange program at Yokohama University in Japan. The program aims to foster academic exchange and international collaboration, offering participants valuable exposure and learning opportunities.
Harleen received a highly regarded Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) scholarship, which is awarded to outstanding students based on academic merit. The scholarship covered all costs associated with the exchange program, including living expenses while in Japan.
Harleen said the program is designed to align with participants’ academic interests and includes laboratory work, joint group exercises and industrial visits.
“The main theme of the program is sustainability transformation – it emphasises sustainability, combined with its practical and interdisciplinary approach, and provides a platform to engage with researchers and industry experts,” she said.
The opportunity aligned well with Harleen’s PhD research, which focuses on the development of sustainable material formulations for fertilisers.
“Along with presenting my research work, I also had the chance to visit several industries, including RICOH, FANCL and OKAMURA, which provided valuable insights into innovative practices and sustainability approaches.”
“Towards the end of the program, we participated in a symposium where my team and I delivered a presentation on the theme of carbon neutrality, circular economy and nature-positive strategies. I was delighted when our team was awarded first place in the symposium,” Harleen enthused.
“It was a memorable and enriching experience at Yokohama University, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Thank you to the Soil CRC and the University of Newcastle for the support and for allowing me to take part in this program.”
Harleen’s principal supervisor, Professor Ajayan Vinu from the University of Newcastle, said her supervisory team is incredibly proud of her achievements so far.
“Harleen’s dedication to her studies is commendable – she has recently prepared a manuscript on her research to date and we look forward to seeing it published in the near future,” Prof. Vinu said.