Japan exchange program enters the next round: six medical students from TUD gain practical experience in Japan, while eight japanese students conduct research in Dresden

The successful exchange program between the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden and Shinshu University, ongoing since 2016, will continue in 2024. Starting in November, six medical students from TU Dresden will complete part of their practical year at Shinshu University Hospital. In departments such as Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, and Plastic Surgery they will gain valuable international experience. Among the participants are Aileen Brockel, Lena Jochheim, Mark Enrik Geissler, Nadja Jahn, My Linh Truong, and Anna Kokhanova, who are looking forward to the novel professional and cultural experiences. The exchange not only offers students the opportunity to deepen their medical knowledge but also learn more about Japanese culture and acquire intercultural competencies.

Currently, eight Japanese guest students are conducting research at the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden. Thanks to the commitment of our clinicians and scientists, they are involved in various research projects. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Günther, Ms. Mao Yumoto is researching autoimmune diseases, especially collagen diseases, at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology. Ms. Sachi Shiomi, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. med. Barbara Ludwig (MK3), is dedicated to basic research in the field of diabetes. At the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ms. Mai Saito is working under supervision of Prof. Dr. Kaomei Guan and Dr. Mario Schubert on basic cardiovascular regenerative research focusing on iPS cells. Mr. Tomoya Koganehira is conducting research in the group of Prof. Dr. Ben Wielockx in the field of immunology, focusing on CAR-T cells, Treg cells, and iPS cells. He is supported by Dr. Stephanie Gembardt. At OncoRay, other students are engaged in oncology and brain tumor research. Ms. Kaori Kobayashi is working under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Leoni Kunz-Schughart, Ms. Yu Nagai is conducting research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Anna Dubrovska, and Mr. Takuto Yukishima is working under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mechthild Krause. Ms. Wakaba Suzuki is involved in translational pediatric research and is supervised by Prof. Dr. med. Angela Hübner and PD Dr. Katrin Köhler.

The growing response and increasing interest underline the importance of this cooperation. At the faculty, all exchange students are organizationally supported by the International Office (Maria Schramm and Marlen Zumpe). Prof. Dr. Henning Morawietz and the International Affairs Officer, Peggy Gierschner, are responsible for the further development and expansion of the partnership. In the future, funding sources should be sustainably secured to continue offering such exchange opportunities.

The program is to be firmly integrated into the faculty's internationalization strategy to make it a permanent part of the academic profile. The collaboration with Shinshu University is deepened through formal agreements and regular bilateral meetings. Planned faculty exchanges and joint research projects strengthen the academic connection and promote a long-term partnership.