On the morning of December 12, Room A351 in Zhu Gongshan Building filled with the aroma of fresh coffee as the International Collaboration Affairs Office of the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering (SESE) hosted the first session of its new “Morning Coffee” get-together for international faculty.
Designed to be simple and welcoming, the gathering had no set agenda and no fixed theme. Organized by Professor Shohei Hattori, Deputy Director of the International Collaboration Affairs Office, several international faculty members stopped by between work commitments for an easy “drop-in” visit. Over coffee and cookies, conversations moved naturally from everyday campus life to recent research anecdotes—helping colleagues get to know one another while also strengthening connections with the School’s administrative team.
Faculty participants spoke positively about this “low-pressure” way of building community. Many also expressed appreciation for the Office’s ongoing support, including bilingual information updates and responsive assistance with day-to-day matters, noting that informal moments like these can bring a genuine feeling of warmth and belonging.
As part of the School’s efforts to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment, “Morning Coffee” will continue as a regular event. Faculty and staff across the School are warmly invited to stop by in their free time for a cup and a conversation. The School hopes the gathering will grow into a small internal “hub,” where colleagues from different backgrounds can meet, connect, and spark interdisciplinary ideas.
We look forward to seeing you at the next coffee time.
Contributed by: International Collaboration Affairs Office
Text: Shuyi (Ariana) Xu
