On August 15, 2026, seven Shida Scholarship recipients across all program years and a screening committee member gathered online. The networking aimed to foster a scholarly network and provide insights into thriving as globally minded researchers.
The scholars joined the networking from the U.S., Canada, UK, and Japan and discussed research environments and career opportunities in each country. They appreciated the autonomy and freedom to pursue their research interests under the guidance of dedicated supervisors. Each participant has successfully achieved important milestones such as publications of articles and presentations at conferences.
The participants spent considerable amount of time discussing career paths since many of them have to consider their next steps. A screening committee member who works as an engineer in Silicon Valley shared his experience of reaching his current position through exploring a wide range of opportunities.
One participant asked how to become involved in projects where they could apply their specialized skills while pursuing their own interests. The answer was, “Create projects you want.” While this may have been a surprising response for the scholarship recipients, the speaker elaborated that it is essential to gain support from managers with decision-making authority and to promote ideas that align with an organization’s goals.
The screening committee member also shared his commitment to continuous learning to catch up with trends in his field, and to meet the evolving expectations of his employer. He could contribute to various projects, his company, and the society at large through his ongoing effort to stay keen in his specialized field. His practice as a life-long learner also encouraged the scholarship recipients to remain dedicated to their academic pursuits even in challenging situations.
The networking session was a meaningful opportunity for participants sharing a common academic background in Japan and a passion for research to learn from one another. Kyodai Collaborative wishes the scholarship recipients continuing success in their international academic journeys.
