Our group including four students (Lai Quoc Dat, Truong Ngoc Mai, Nguyen Dang Quang, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien) from Faculty of Biology (Hanoi National University of Education – HNUE) participated in International Marine Biology Course hosted by Sado Marine Biological Station (SMBS) of Niigata University, Japan from September 11th to 14th, 2017. While the course lasted only four days, it did create an opportunity to promote our capabilities on our future career by providing us with not only knowledge from the lectures but also lifestyle of Japanese people as well as other international students.
On the first day in SMBS, we familiarized ourselves with SMBS staff members as well as other international lecturers and students from universities from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Japan. We were also given a SMBS tour together with a living guidance here. After having dinner, all participants did nocturnal animals sampling and observation.
Fig. 1: Nocturnal animals sampling and observation
Fig. 2: Professor Ando is teaching how to observe marine animals and introduce them to international students
Two lectures entitled “Classification: The Diversity of Organisms” (Dr. Takashi, SMBS) and “Characteristics of the Japan Sea and MarineAnimals” (Prof. Ando, SMBS) were given in the morning of the following day, which were beneficial to broaden our knowledge. Artificial fertilization in sea urchin was conducted, following by observing the development of embryos using microscopes. In the afternoon, Dr. Hau from HNUE held a small game before starting his lecture “Marine Biology”. We then sampled many types of plankton using a special net and observed them with further explanation from Dr. Iida. In the evening, each student chose one creature that had been caught to identify and sketch. The animal must be selected based on the phylum each assigned group decided to make presentations.
Fig. 3: Dr. Takashi Kitahashi is instructing people how to sample and observe animal samples
Fig. 4: Group work by Dr. Tran Duc Hau is making the presentation of marine life more fun and comfortable
Fig. 5: Special net is using to sample many types of planktons
Fig. 6: Group activities with international friends
On the third day, we attended other two lectures “Fish brain reveals its hidden potential for functional neural repair” and “Application of Molecular Biology in Marine Biology” by Dr. Satoshi and Dr. Shogo from Monash University Malaysia. Next activity was animal sampling by snorkeling at a rocky shore, which captured the enthusiasm of all participants. In the afternoon, students gave both individual and group presentations as well as explained some questions from listeners. Laboratory cleaning up was done after that by all participants.
Fig. 7: Lai Quoc Dat - Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of education with his presentation
Fig.8: Animal sampling by snorkeling at a rocky shore
As the course was coming to the end, all participants joined themselves in the farewell BBQ party and had a memorable evening together. Four of us did have such an unforgettable and precious experience thanks to the help of Prof. Ando, Dr. Iida, Dr. Kitahashi, and other staff members of the SMBS of Niigata University as well as other Doctors and students from universities from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. We greatly appreciate Dr. Hau for guiding us in this course and the Faculty of Biology (HNUE) for offering favorable conditions for us to kindle our knowledge.
Fig. 9: The course ends with a group photo
Fig. 10: Students of the Faculty of Biology at the Hanoi National University of Education is enjoying the course
Source: The 2017 Participants, Translator: Lai Quoc Dat