First Secretary HIROSHI Okasaki, Japanese ambassador to Lithuania, His Excellency OZAKI Tetsu, Prof. Vytautas Kasiulevičius, Jūratė Jurevičienė, Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis, Prof. Makoto Suematsu, Prof. Dalius Jatužis, Prof. Janina Tutkuvienė, Assoc. Prof. Laura Nedzinskienė, Aleksas Pikturna, PhD. © MF archive.
From November 20-24, Professor Makoto Suematsu, former longtime head of the Japanese Agency for Medical Research and Development, visited Vilnius University (VU) and the Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. During his visit, Prof. Suematsu, who currently leads the Central Institute for Experimental Animals Research in Japan, maintained close ties with the researchers from VU’s Faculty of Medicine. His scientific interests include gas biology, metabolomics, brain microcirculation, and imaging of malignant tumor metabolism.
During the visit, the scientist met with the administration of the Faculty of Medicine at VU and the Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. The meetings also involved the participation of the Japanese ambassador to Lithuania, His Excellency Ozaki Tetsu.
At present, the Faculty of Medicine at VU is undergoing a period of renewal, with all efforts and opportunities focused on the development of the new Medical Science Center. “The visit of such a distinguished scientist is encouraging. At the moment, we are seeking our place in the Lithuanian, European, and global scientific ecosystem. We believe that the opening of the Science Center will mark the beginning of scientific potential growth. Therefore, we will consider every insight or advice from Prof. Makoto Suematsu as highly significant assistance,” said Prof. Dalius Jatužis during the meeting.
Japanese ambassador to Lithuania, His Excellency OZAKI Tetsu, prof. MAKOTO Suematsu, prof. Dalius Jatužis.© MF archive.
“Our main goal at the moment is to find the right path in developing the Medical Science Center and avoid making fundamental mistakes,” stated Dean for Science and Innovation, Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis, who presented the idea, project, and plans for the new building to the guests in detail. “We understand that we won’t become active players in various fields so quickly. We want to avoid spreading ourselves too thin, remain strong in specific chosen areas, and grow gradually. To achieve this goal, partnership and friendship with colleagues abroad are essential,” added Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis.
“This visit is already the fifth opportunity to visit your wonderful country. Every time I come here, I am very happy that we can share knowledge and experiences. A lecture-seminar for Vilnius University researchers is an excellent opportunity to strengthen intercultural collaboration. I hope the meeting will be beneficial for both parties,” said the professor from Japan during the meeting with Prof. D. Jatužis, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at VU, and his team. The scientist mentioned being inspired by the development prospects of the Faculty of Medicine at VU. “Sharing experiences is crucial. Scientists in different parts of the world often face similar problems, so we never know where we will find like-minded people and assistance. When I was young, insecure, and just starting my scientific career, my teacher once said, ‘Don't think about science, just do it.’ So today, for those standing on the threshold of great challenges and opportunities, I want to wish the same,” concluded the globally renowned scientist.