From FY 2022, Niigata University started a new education project of “Human Resource Development Program on Field Science Research in the Indo-Pacific Region” selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in collaboration with nine universities from India, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

Our research institute participates in this project to contribute in the field-oriented natural hazard science education. Before the ceremony of inter-university agreements, Professor Tracy Rushmer and Associate Professor Paul Hesse from Macquarie University, Australia, visited our institute on the 20th of February, 2023. We share common recognition between Japan and Australia that understanding natural phenomena and environmental changes in the pasts approaching from Quaternary geology and geomorphology is important for future prediction and mitigation of natural hazards such as such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, draughts, and so on. We discussed about a plan for future exchange of students for education and research through this project.