Fully sponsored by the prestigious Sakura Science Scholarship, this course aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of marine animals' biodiversity through different fieldwork activities by utilizing well-preserved marine ecosystems on Sado Island, Japan. Although this course was just one week long, participants obtained a wealth of information and experience not only in marine biology but also in the culture and beauty of Japan and the participating nations, giving them the opportunity to develop their capabilities in the future.

On the first day on Sado Island, students were given an SMBS tour and living guidance. After lunch, participants gave a self-introduction as well as got to know SMBS staff members, foreign instructors, and students from Hong Kong, Bangladesh, India, and Japan. Following that, two lectures namely “Classification: The Diversity of Organisms" by Dr. Omori Akihito, SMBS, and “Characteristics of the Japan Sea and Marine Animals” by Prof. Ando Hironori, SMBS were given, helping students grasp Japan's and the world's biodiversity. At the end of the first day, participants had an ice-breaking dinner in which everyone could get to know each other.

On the second day, two lectures entitled “Marine Biology & Initial Findings of applying modern techniques in studying occurrence of early stages of Fish in Vietnamese Estuaries” by Assoc Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Hau and “Biota and Environmental Change in the Japan Sea Revealed by Data Science and Environmental DNA Analysis” by Dr. Masaaki Yoshida were provided. After the first lecture, students were excited to collect marine animals by snorkeling at a rocky shore. After the second lecture, students attended a hybrid course “Marine Animals of Sado Island”. After that, attendees could observe the fertilization of sea urchins and the early development of embryos. Finally, in the evening, students participated in the nocturnal sampling with many fish, crustaceans, and mollusks collected and got instructed on how to do the presentation on the fourth day.

On the third day, attendees were instructed to collect plankton and benthic organisms with the station's survey vessel and then observed them with a microscope in the laboratory. In the afternoon, students attended an intriguing lecture entitled “Evaluation of Molting and Growth Performance of Shrimp/Prawn in Coastal Aquaculture” (Prof. Md. Nurul Absar Khan & Dr. Md. Mahiuddin Zahangir, CVASU). After the lecture, students had a chance to take part in a gold mine tour and the historical heritage sites. This was a really exciting activity for everyone. In the evening, people enjoyed watching sea fireflies (Umi – Hotaru, Vargula hilgendorfii) glowing in the dark.

On the fourth day, learners attended the lecture “Features and Biodiversity of Indian Coasts” by Dr. Prabhakaran Priyaja from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India. In the afternoon, the students presented their research results individually and in groups, then answered questions from the audience. After that, participants cleaned up the lab together and released the animals back to where they had collected the day before. The last evening at Sado Island was awaited by everyone, when the organizers prepared a farewell BBQ party, where lecturers and students had conversations about cooperation in the future.

On the fifth day morning, students finished the questionnaire and took group photos before moving back to Tokyo. On the following day, all participants took part in visiting Tokyo Sea Life Park, where everyone can obverse lots of marine animals from various sea areas around the world. Every attendee was strongly impressed with how methodically and scientifically the Park had been invested to create a living environment for animals like their original habitats. In the afternoon, students went to visit the National Museum of Nature and Science which has a lot of display models of achievements in many fields, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Thoughts and Feelings of the Students from the Faculty of Biology who have participated in IMBC 2023:

“This course has opened up doors for us to explore and expand our horizons. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Prof. ANDO, Assoc. Prof. IIDA, Dr. OMORI, and Dr. KAWASAKA for affording us this extraordinary opportunity. Through their unwavering support and guidance, we have not only gained an understanding of Marine Biology, Japanese, and other nations’ culture but also fostered a deep desire to share our transformative experience with as many individuals as possible. We also would like to express our gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Hau for his attentive care and support extended to us during this journey”.

“It was such a fascinating and relaxing course. During the course, I gained more knowledge about taxonomy and marine biology through lectures and group activities. Participating in this course, I had a chance to experience snorkeling and sampling for the first time, which I felt most exciting and memorable.” – Do Linh Chi

“We were not only exposed to a professional working style but also received a warm welcome accompanied by a sense of dedication and enthusiasm from the staff. Their prompt support allowed me to resolve the situation efficiently, enabling me to fully immerse myself in the course. This experience holds a special place in my heart as it marked my first and most extraordinary time in Japan.” – Nguyen Ho Van Giap
“After coming back to Vietnam, I can clearly feel a hole in my heart. I had such a truly unforgettable time in Japan, especially during the course on Sado Island. For this experience marked the first step of my journey to become a research scientist, I hope I will have more chances to study and work in a professional and welcoming environment like the one I have experienced in this course.” – Khuong Yen Nhi

Figure 1: Ice-breaking dinner

Figure 2: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hau gave tasks to the participants during his lecture

Figure 3: Animal sampling by snorkeling

Figure 4: Activities in the laboratory room

Figure 5:  Participants collected nocturnal animals

Figure 6: Plankton sampling by a special net with unseeable holes

Figure 7: IMBC participants with kindergarten students at Sado Kinzan

Figure 8: Group presentations

Figure 9: Farewell BBQ party

Figure 10: IMBC 2023 group photo at Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability

Figure 11: Group photo with a Toki bird model in Ryotsu Port

Figure 12: Group photo at Tokyo Sea Life Park

Figure 13: Aquarium imitates the ecosystem in Red Sea display at Tokyo Sea Life Park

Picture: Sado IMBC 2023; Report: Linh Chi, Yen Nhi, Van Giap