The main objective of my visit to Japan was to visit Yusa Laboratory at University of Hyogo and materialise fruitful research collaborations. Additionally, this visit was also to academically contribute to University of Hyogo in which I delivered some guest lectures and research presentations in English to University of Hyogo’s undergraduate, master and PhD students, and staff. Furthermore, through this visit, social friendships and cultural partnerships with the students and staff, and members of Himeji English Speaking Society are being nurtured. Extra travels to various parts of Japan were also performed to initiate some collaborations with Fukuoka University, Kyoto University, Kansai University, and The University of Tokyo, and met Prof. Kenji Mishima, Prof. Manabu Kano, Prof. Yusuke Asakuma, and Associate Professor Aziz Muhammad, respectively.

While in Japan, I was exposed to the way Japanese research laboratories and their members work and how the academic learning and teaching activities are carried out. Particularly, I learn on how regular research meetings are typically organised to ensure that the research students are on the right track and producing good research outputs. Besides, I did enjoy travelling in Japan with super-efficient, clean and professional Japanese buses and railway systems which made my travel to Kyushu, around Kansai areas and Tokyo were pleasant and memorable. More importantly, in Himeji where I spent most of my time in Japan, I stayed in a family operated guest house and this has given me opportunities to have hands-on interaction with an ordinary Japanese family and learn more on their Japanese culture and agricultural farms.

The current visit has resulted in on-going research alliance between Yusa laboratory and my research group on modelling of polymer dissociation and prediction of the critical polymer properties. Follow up actions have been planned to remotely collaborate on the modelling works and co-publish journal papers. It is expected that 2 – 3 journal manuscripts will be generated for the first phase of collaborations (2024-2025). On top of the above, research partnerships with Fukuoka University, Kansai University, Kyoto University and The University of Tokyo are being initiated and some fruitful outcomes may be expected in 2025 onward.