About the Regional Meeting
The MCAA Asia Connect “Konnichiwa Tokyo 2026” gathers leaders and researchers from the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) chapters in Japan, India, China, and Southeast Asia, along with delegates from Oceania. Celebrating 30 years of the MCAA, the meeting strengthens Asia-Pacific regional integration, promotes multilateral science diplomacy, bridges Japanese deep-tech startups with academic research, and formalizes our regional governance charter.
Confirmed Keynote Speakers & Stakeholders
Gijs Berends
Head of Science, Innovation & Digital Policies
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Dr. Twan van Erp
Counsellor & Head of Research and Innovation
Delegation of the European Union to India & Bhutan
Fumiko Oda
National Contact Point (NCP)
Horizon Europe / MSCA Japan
Dr. Judit Erika Magyar
Regional Liaison Officer
MSCA GLOPOL • EURAXESS Japan
Prof. Dr. Fan Mo
MCAA Board Member
MCAA China Chapter
Prof. Dr. Eugenio Otal
MCAA Board Member
MCAA Japan Chapter
Dr. Norbert Preining
Tech Scaling & Innovation Lead
Mercari, Inc. (Japan's First Unicorn)
Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
Deep-Tech Ecosystem Builders
Knowledge Manufacturing & Incubation (Tokyo)
Conference Program
Day 1: Strategy, 30th Anniversary & Innovation
Day 2: Science Diplomacy, Regional Strategy & Site Visit
Day 1 Focus: Science Diplomacy, 30th Anniversary Celebration, Innovation & Japanese Ecosystem
09:00 - 10:00
Registration & Badge Pick-up
Check-in at reception. Participants deposit traditional regional snacks brought from their home countries for the afternoon exchange.
10:00 - 10:30
Opening Ceremony & MCAA 30th Anniversary Celebration
Prof. Dr. Eugenio Otal (MCAA Board) & Regional Chapter Chairs
Commemoration of 30 years of MCAA; international milestones, researcher impact, and network consolidation.
10:30 - 11:15
High-Level EU Diplomacy Keynotes
Gijs Berends (EU Delegation to Japan) & Dr. Twan van Erp (EU Delegation to India & Bhutan)
Multilateral EU-Asia scientific diplomacy, green/digital transitions, and bilateral research priorities.
11:15 - 12:00
Stakeholder Integration: Horizon Europe & GloPol
Fumiko Oda (NCP Japan) & Dr. Judit Erika Magyar (Regional Liaison Officer, MSCA GLOPOL)
Horizon Europe Pillar II opportunities, Japan as an Associated Country, and MSCA mobility mechanisms.
12:00 - 13:00
Seated Networking Lunch (Japanese Bento Boxes)
Curated Bento Boxes served in a seated networking format with themed tables (Deep Tech, Life Sciences, Climate, AI).
13:00 - 13:20
Official 30th Anniversary Group Photo
Commemorative photograph with all delegates, keynote speakers, and chapter representatives.
13:20 - 14:45
Innovation Ecosystem, Startups & Venture Creation
Leave a Nest Tokyo & Dr. Norbert Preining (Mercari)
Deep-tech knowledge manufacturing, scaling up in Tokyo (Japan's first unicorn), and career transition for PhDs into tech entrepreneurship.
14:45 - 15:30
Coffee Break & Cultural Hometown Snack Exchange
Afternoon coffee and tea paired with regional sweets and snacks brought by delegates from their home countries.
15:30 - 17:00
Scientific Lightning Talks & Institutional Showcases
MCAA Fellows & University Delegates
Rapid-fire research presentations (3-5 min each) highlighting breakthrough projects and cross-chapter pitches.
17:00 - 17:15
Day 1 Synthesis & Briefing
Summary of Day 1 outcomes and logistics for the cultural activity and dinner.
17:30 - 19:00
Tokyo Cultural Walk
Guided neighborhood exploration visiting historical and cultural spots.
19:15 - 21:30
Networking Dinner: Traditional Tokyo Monjayaki
Interactive hotplate-grill dining experience (もんじゃ焼き) for peer networking and celebratory toasts.
Day 2 Focus: Third Countries, Regional Strategy, Tokyo Roadmap & Leave a Nest HQ Visit
09:00 - 09:15
Day 2 Opening Remarks
Recap of Day 1 and briefing on strategic governance sessions.
09:15 - 10:15
Global Perspectives: Third Countries & Science Diplomacy
International Delegations (India, Argentina, Regional Partners)
Global outreach of MSCA beyond Europe, South-South cooperation, talent retention, and brain circulation.
10:15 - 10:45
Extended Morning Coffee & Networking Break
Informal discussions, bilateral meetups, and transition into working groups.
10:45 - 12:00
MCAA Asia-Pacific Chairs Round Table
Chapter Chairs: Japan, India, China, Southeast Asia, Oceania
Strategic coordination: Defining permanent governance, joint grant proposals, cross-chapter mentorship, and 2027 host designation.
12:00 - 13:00
Seated Networking Lunch (Japanese Bento Boxes)
Bento Box lunch and peer discussions prior to departing for the site visit.
13:00 - 13:30
Plenary Wrap-Up & Tokyo 2026 Roadmap Adoption
Presentation of agreed action items, formal adoption of the Tokyo Roadmap, and concluding remarks.
13:30 - 14:15
Transit to Iidabashi
Group transit via Tokyo Metro to Leave a Nest Headquarters.
14:30 - 16:30
Site Visit: Leave a Nest Headquarters (Iidabashi)
Leave a Nest Leadership & Startup Founders (TBC)
Tour of incubation prototyping labs, discussion on science entrepreneurship, and Q&A with deep-tech founders.
16:30
Official Adjournment
Closing of the regional meeting and bilateral informal departures.
Expected Strategic Outcomes
- Tokyo 2026 Action Roadmap Consolidation of the Asia-Pacific regional structure, formalizing bylaws, joint initiatives, and rotating secretariat.
- Horizon Europe Direct Pathways Clear action routes for Asian institutions to engage in Pillar II and MSCA Staff Exchanges via NCP Japan and EURAXESS.
- Deep-Tech Translation Ecosystem Direct connections between academic researchers, Leave a Nest incubation pipelines, and startup scale-up models.