Professor Watanabe
Professor Yutaka Watanabe is this year's participant in the exchange program between the University of Alberta and the Niigata University. He will spend a month here in Edmonton (September7 - October 6, 2011), teaching a course in Pacific Rim Law. This August, Professor Eran Kaplinsky also participated in the exchange program, travelling to Japan to teach and do research.
The exchange program has lasted for more than twenty years and is somewhat unique because it allows faculty exchanges as well, while most exchange programs focus primarily on students.
Professor Watanabe specializes in international human rights and will be doing some research on the topic while here in Edmonton.
Professor Watanabe found the differences in Canadian and Japanese universities quite interesting. Many Japanese students still use pen and paper for notes, while here at the Faculty of Law, many students use laptops to take notes. He has also enjoyed his time here in Edmonton, taking chances to sightsee and explore the city. He is especially happy that the weather has been so nice, as he was warned by colleagues in Niigata that Canada was a very cold place to visit.