On August 26, 2020, a two-hour Discussion Café (DCafé) kicked off at 18:30 JST between TMDU undergraduates and dental undergraduates of Srinakharinwirot University (Thailand), with which TMDU has an Academic Agreement.

Coordinated with affiliated universities in and beyond Japan, DCafé events are a great opportunity for students from various cultural and educational backgrounds to come together and discuss various topics, delve into solutions to complex global issues, and build networks in English. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a web conferencing system was used to network with students overseas and access a range of cultural and disciplinary perspectives. This was TMDU’s second online Discussion Café.

With the COVID-19 pandemic precluding international study and overseas travel in general, DCafé events are a precious opportunity for participants to experience international activities. Web conferencing effectively removes the barrier of distance. Srinakharinwirot University and TMDU have a long history of international exchange and are in a close relationship. It was very memorable opportunity for both universities that we could interact online even in this kind of circumstance.

Twenty TMDU students and 25 dental students from Srinakharinwirot University took part in this event. From TMDU, students from the School of Dentistry, Oral Health Care Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences participated. During the event, students were broken into seven mixed groups to discuss two COVID-19 response topics, after self-introductions. The topics were “Changes in dental medicine/ practice during and after COVID-19” and “Our school life after 2020.” Faculty from both universities also joined the event to listen with interest to the lively student-led group discussion, presentations, and general debate. It was undoubtedly a very stimulating experience for all the students involved.

The success of this DCafé event even amidst a global pandemic is thanks to the long history of collaboration and exchange between the two universities, along with students’ passion and commitment to resolving global issues through collaboration. It was also an extremely valuable experience in terms of planning further exchanges with universities in Japan and overseas at a time when we don’t have the option of meeting face to face. It was indeed a stimulating and fruitful two hours.

Comments from participants:

• It was a delightful opportunity for me to be able to exchange my opinions in a new style online, when I was unable to study abroad with partner schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt that this style would be one of the new international exchange methods with universities around the world.

• Now that face-to-face international exchanges are difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Discussion Café reminded me of the importance and enjoyment of international exchange. I lost the sight of my goal because my three-month overseas training for this summer was canceled, however, by working on this project as a task force member, I was able to find my next goal and motivate myself again. I really appreciate the faculty who planned this event and everyone who participated!

• Opportunities for international exchange are limited because of COVID-19, but I was able to participate in this online DCafe, share the hardships with overseas students, and deepen our discussion. It was a very meaningful time.