AC21 Legacy International Symposium
The AC21 Legacy International Symposium was announced by Nagoya University for March 10–12, 2024, at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, under the theme "International Research and Education Collaboration within SDGs 3, 7 and 9 to Contribute to a Sustainable World." It was organised as a special event following the close of AC21 (Academic Consortium 21) in December 2022, after Nagoya University had served as the consortium's General Secretariat for twenty years.
About this page: the details below are drawn directly from Nagoya University's official call for presenters (English and Japanese versions), published ahead of the event. We have not located a published post-event report, so this page describes what was announced and does not claim specific attendance figures, named speakers, or outcomes beyond what the call itself states.
Event Details
| Dates | March 10–12, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Stellenbosch University, South Africa |
| Topic | International Research and Education Collaboration within SDGs 3, 7 and 9 to Contribute to a Sustainable World |
| Format | On-site; a hybrid option was described as "under consideration" in the call |
| Presenter eligibility | Researchers, postdocs, and PhD students at Nagoya University (student applicants required prior approval from their academic adviser) |
| Presentation length | 10–15 minutes per presenter |
| Application deadline | January 11, 2024 |
SDG Tracks: Goals 9, 7, and 3
The call for presenters organised submissions into three tracks, each tied to one of the symposium's focus UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Track 1 — SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Track 2 — SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Track 3 — SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Each presenter was asked to give a 10–15 minute presentation in one of the three tracks; the call directed applicants to the event website for further detail on individual track requirements.
Eligibility and Support
Unlike earlier AC21 activities such as the International Forum, which drew participants from across the consortium's member institutions, this call for presenters was addressed specifically to Nagoya University researchers, postdocs, and PhD students — consistent with Nagoya's role as AC21's General Secretariat and the symposium's framing as a Nagoya-organised closing event rather than a full member-wide gathering. Nagoya University indicated it would cover travel expenses and a daily allowance for up to two presenters, with Stellenbosch University providing accommodation and most meals. The application deadline stated in the call was January 11, 2024.
Context: AC21's Close
The call for presenters describes AC21 as a consortium established in 2002 to build an international network of educational, research, and industrial organisations, with Nagoya University serving as General Secretariat for twenty years until the consortium came to a close in December 2022. At that point, per the same source, AC21 comprised 14 member universities across Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. More background on the consortium's history is available on our About AC21 page.
Sources
This page is based on Nagoya University's official call for presenters for the AC21 Legacy International Symposium (English and Japanese versions), published by the university's International Affairs Division, International Consortium Team.