From November 16 to 18, 2024, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) held a follow-up event in Taiwan, for the alumni of Taiwan Young Leaders Program which was conducted from 2018 to 2020.

On the first day, a reunion was held jointly with the Graduate School of Public Policy, Hokkaido University (HOPS) which also conducts Taiwan executive program. After the opening remarks by the hosts, keynote speeches were given by Dr. Chen-Wei Lin, former CEO of the National Security Council on "Taiwan-Japan Relations: Narrative and Reality", and second by Professor Tetsuo Murota of GRIPS on "Disaster Management for Mega-Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in Japan". In addition, six alumni of both programs shared how the knowledge and experience gained from the programs in Japan are valuable in their careers today. Participants reconnected with their professors and peers, while making new friends and expanding their network.




On November 17, the GRIPS Alumni visited Kaohsiung City. At the National University of Kaohsiung, the participants were inspired by the university's unique initiatives in SDG-oriented education and its nature-rich campus. On November 18, the group visited the National Taiwan Ocean University in Keelung City, about 30 km north of Taipei, and toured the Algae Center and the Ocean Engineering Laboratory. The participants learned that the various ocean-related research is broadly and deeply connected to daily life, such as the environment, industry, and disaster prevention.

The 3-day program ended with a promise to meet again next time. It was a valuable opportunity for the alumni to deepen friendships, and to appreciate the benefits of a face-to-face meeting, especially for those participants who attended the online program in 2020.