A group of 10 Japanese students are heading home after spending a month at the Robert Gordon University (RGU) and experiencing life in the north-east.
The Masters students, from nine different universities across Japan, spent the last four weeks in the north-east as part of the Nippon Foundation Ocean Innovation Consortium Summer School 2019, studying modules on subsea engineering, oil and gas, and renewable energy.
The end of the programme was marked with a graduation ceremony at RGU.
Speaking at the ceremony, student representative Tomohiro Shimiya said: “I came here one month ago to study ocean innovation and to become a leader of the future generation.
“When I arrived in Aberdeen I was excited, but also a little bit scared because this my first long stay in a foreign country.
“However, I gradually got accustomed to life in Aberdeen and the people we met were very kind.
“Now, I am sad to say this is our graduation, which means the end of the summer school.
“But, we have tried our very best to meet our objectives and after returning to Japan we will confront many problems, but we will never give up because of our great experience in Aberdeen.”
As part of the programme, the group enjoyed a visit to the Glen Garioch Distillery, Castle Fraser, the Braemar Highland Gathering and climbed a Munro.
Professor John Harper, principal of RGU, said: “The fourth Nippon Summer School has been a huge success and credit must go to all the students for the way they have embraced not only the learning, but also the culture here in Aberdeen and Scotland.
“We hope that by joining us here in Aberdeen for the last few weeks, we have helped the students develop the skillsets needed to thrive in their future careers.”
