The 8th meeting of the Japan-Norway Joint Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology occurred in Tokyo. Ms. KAJI Misako, the Ambassador for Science and Technology Cooperation at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Anne Line WOLD, the Director General of the Department for Higher Education, Research, and International Affairs at the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, co-chaired the meeting. Participants included H.E. Ms. Kristin IGULM, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway, along with various representatives from the relevant ministries and agencies of both nations.
In the course of the meeting, both parties provided updates on their respective policies concerning national science and technology, innovation, and environmentally sustainable initiatives, along with responsible international academic partnerships. They engaged in discussions regarding ongoing collaborative endeavors and exchanged perspectives on the status of these joint activities. Additionally, the committee deliberated on the state of bilateral cooperation, addressing future pathways in prioritized sectors highlighted in prior committee sessions. These sectors encompassed health, care, and welfare technology, polar and marine research, as well as emerging fields like artificial intelligence and disaster risk reduction.
Compulsory education in Norway encompasses children aged 6 to 16, with schools generally categorized into primary and lower secondary levels. The predominant educational institutions are municipally run, with local governments responsible for funding and administrative oversight. Norwegian citizens are entitled to free primary and lower secondary education. Norway, along with its Nordic counterparts, is globally recognized for its leadership in employing renewable energy, green technologies, and responsible management of sustainable resources.
