NEWS & EVENTS

NEWS & EVENTS

Durham University (UK) and the University of Bucharest (Romania) Conclude Inter-University Academic and Student Exchange Agreement with Kumamoto University

On November 19th and 20th, Kumamoto University concluded an inter-university academic and student exchange agreement with Durham University (UK) and the University of Bucharest (Romania) respectively.

 

Durham University is recognized as one of the top universities in the United Kingdom. Out of 33 subjects, 20 subjects received top ratings in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF). The university hosts approximately 4,000 international students from 156 countries. Since 2014, when Durham University launched the Japanese Studies Course, the faculties of these universities have deepened exchanges to include visits to each other’s campuses. At the signing ceremony held at Durham University, Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor Stuart Corbridge signed the agreement and concluded with a firm handshake with Kumamoto University’s Vice-President Kazuki Takashima. This agreement is expected to promote exchanges among university faculty, researchers and students.

 

The University of Bucharest is a national university with the longest history and tradition in Romania. It has been the center of Japanese studies and Japanese language studies for Eastern Europe. The signing ceremony was concurrent with the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Language Department of the University of Bucharest.

 

These two exchange agreements have raised the total number of partner universities and institutions of Kumamoto University to 189, covering 40 countries and regions.

 

Vice-Chancellor Corbridge and Vice-President Takashima at the signing ceremony at Durham University

Vice-Chancellor Corbridge and Vice-President Takashima at the signing ceremony at Durham University

Vice-Rector Magdalena Iordache-Platis, Japanese Ambassador to Romania Kisaburo Ishii, and Vice-President Takashima at the signing ceremony at the University of Bucharest

Vice-Rector Magdalena Iordache-Platis, Japanese Ambassador to Romania Kisaburo Ishii, and Vice-President Takashima at the signing ceremony at the University of Bucharest

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Vice President of Ateneo de Manila University pays courtesy visit to President Shinji Harada

On November 20, 2015, President Shinji Harada received a courtesy visit from Fr. Jose M. Cruz SJ, Vice President for University and Global Relations of Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

 

Established in 1859 and located in Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila on Luzon Island in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University is one of the leading private universities in the country.

 

In this visit, Dr. Cruz met with Assistant Professor Armando Quitain of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Faculty of Engineering, faculty members of the Graduate School of Science and Technology, and faculty members of the College of Cross-Cultural and Multidisciplinary Studies. They exchanged views on the mutual dispatch and reception of students, along with the exchange of instructors, and agreed to develop a good relationship between both universities.

 

This visit is expected to enhance international student and academic exchange between Kumamoto University and Ateneo de Manila University as well as other higher education institutions in the Philippines.

 

 

Vice President Cruz (second from left) and President Harada (center)

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Anhui University Attends Signing Ceremony for University-Level Exchange Agreement

On October 29, 2015, Kumamoto University concluded an inter-university academic and student exchange agreement with Anhui University (China).

 

The Center for Hui Studies of Anhui University and Faculty of Letters of Kumamoto University previously concluded a department-level academic exchange agreement in 2010. Now the two universities have agreed to enter into a university-level exchange agreement to expand the scope of the program. Anhui University is a national university with 20 schools. It has many notable achievements to its credit, especially in the humanities and social sciences. The two universities have already enjoyed substantial academic exchanges, including researcher exchanges and joint research in the humanities.

 

President Cheng Hua and three other delegates from Anhui University attended the signing ceremony. As people from both universities watched, President Cheng and President Shinji Harada signed the agreement and concluded with a firm handshake.

 

This agreement will help expand the exchange program to the entire university, and spark new exchanges in new fields of study.

 

At Signing Ceremony President Cheng and President Harada

At Signing Ceremony Parties from both universities

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Guilin University of Technology Attends Signing Ceremony for University-Level Exchange Agreement

On October 28, 2015, Prof. Xie Qinglin, President of Guilin University of Technology (China), visited Kumamoto University with three other delegates to attend the signing ceremony for a university-level exchange agreement.

 

Since Kumamoto University’s Faculty of Engineering and the Graduate School of Science and Technology concluded a department-level exchange agreement with Guilin University of Technology in 1999, both parties have promoted researcher and student exchanges. The two universities have now entered into a university-level exchange agreement to expand these exchanges to other faculties.

 

President Xie and President Shinji Harada signed the agreement at the signing ceremony and concluded with a firm handshake. This new agreement will expand the scope of the program to the entire university and further strengthen the ties between the two institutions.

 

In advance of the signing ceremony, the delegates visited the Graduate School of Science and Technology and exchanged views on student exchanges and the possibility of joint research. The universities agreed to deepen their friendly relationship.

 

At Signing Ceremony President Xie and President Harada

At Signing Ceremony Parties from both universities

Delegates exchanging views at the Graduate School of Science and Technology

Center: President Xie and Prof. Jun Otani, Dean of the Graduate School of Science and Technology

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Montana State University’s Associate Provost for Office of International Programs (U.S.) pays courtesy visit to President Shinji Harada and Vice President Kazuki Takashima

On October 13, 2015, President Shinji Harada and Professor Kazuki Takashima (Vice President for International Affairs) received a courtesy visit from a group of six delegates from Montana State University (U.S.). The group was led by David L. Di Maria, Ed.D., Associate Provost, Office of International Programs.

 

Since the conclusion of an international exchange agreement in 1987, for almost 30 years, Kumamoto University and Montana State University have maintained a close relationship, particularly focusing on student exchange programs.

 

The representatives of the two universities held a frank conversation on student exchange programs and the possible implementation of scholarly exchanges between researchers.

 

After the courtesy visit concluded in a friendly atmosphere, the delegate group also interacted with former Japanese exchange students and other Japanese students who had studied at Montana State University, aiming to share their learning experiences/outcomes in the United States and listen to their opinions on student exchange programs.

 

Delegates from Montana State University, President Harada, and Vice President Takashima

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Four Chinese graduates of Kumamoto University pay courtesy visit to President Shinji Harada

On October 2, 2015, President Shinji Harada received a courtesy visit from a group of four Chinese graduates of Kumamoto University.

 

The group members consisted of Jun Wu, Ph.D. (Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, U.S.); Yi Ding, Ph.D. (Professor, Tsinghua University, China); Luxia Liang, MD, Ph.D. (CEO, Fantastic Bioimaging Co., Ltd, China); and Daniel Wang, Ph.D. (Southport Healthway Clinic, Canada), all of whom graduated from the Graduate School of Medical Sciences or the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kumamoto University. It was their first visit to the university in about twelve years.

 

Representing the group, Professor Wu commented as follows at an informal conversation with the President:

“Our school days at Kumamoto University greatly helped us learn a lot of important things to create a rewarding path in life. We owe what we are now to our learning experiences at Kumamoto University. Successful Chinese graduates are not limited to us alone; many Chinese students who studied at Kumamoto University are also playing active roles at leading universities/research institutions in China and other countries throughout the world. In gratitude, we would like to help contribute to the further globalization of Kumamoto University.”

 

Cordially welcoming this proposal, President Harada answered, “I am sure that outstanding achievements of you four will effectively motivate current and prospective Chinese students at Kumamoto University to diligently pursue their studies. The university intends to maintain close ties with you and other foreign graduates of the university in the future.”

 

 

(from left) Jun Wu, Ph.D.; President Shinji Harada; Yi Ding, Ph.D.; Luxia Liang, MD, Ph.D.; and Daniel Wang, Ph.D.

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New Courses in English Opened for the Short – Term Exchange Program 2015

The College of Cross-Cultural and Multidisciplinary Studies has launched new ‘Global Courses’ taught in English for the students attending the university’s Short-Term Exchange Program.

 

The courses are mostly related to humanities and the social sciences, which enable international students who are not confident enough to earn credits in courses offered in Japanese to understand Japanese society and culture deeply and efficiently, and improve their communication skills through interactions with the classmates from all over the world, including local students.

 

 

The list of global courses

 

Y5D30611

Joshua Rickard Ph.D. teaches ‘Anthropology of Violence’

 

Y5D30583

Kumamoto University students learn alongside international students

 

Y5D30710

I-Chun Chen Ph.D. teaches ’Japanese Women’

 

Inquiries: International Students Office
gji-ryugaku@jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp

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Courtesy Call to President Harada Made by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Australia

On August 19, 2015, Professor Andrew Parfitt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Newcastle, Australia, paid a courtesy call to President Shinji Harada and Trustee Yasumichi Matsumoto (in charge of Research and Social Contribution).

Kumamoto University has enjoyed a partnership with the University of Newcastle for almost 30 years, since 1986. Both universities have dispatched and accepted exchange students. Many Kumamoto students have gone to Newcastle to attend intensive language courses.

President Harada and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Parfitt shared their views on topics such as exchanges among researchers and among students through the Top Global University Project and the Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities of Kumamoto University. The two sides agreed to further promote university-level exchange activities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Parfitt also met with Professor Jun Otani, Dean of the Graduate School of Science and Technology, and Distinguished Professor Takashi Hiyama. They shared views about academic exchanges in the field of natural science.

 

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Deputy Vice-Chancellor Parfitt and President Harada

パーフィット副学長(左から二人目)と松本理事(中央)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Parfitt (2nd from left) and Trustee Matsumoto (center)

左から:檜山卓越教授、パーフィット副学長、大谷自然科学研究科長、鳥居修一グローバル教育カレッジ副カレッジ長

From left: Distinguished Professor Hiyama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Parfitt, Dean Otani (Graduate School of Science and Technology), and Assistant Director Shuichi Torii (College of Cross-Cultural and Multidisciplinary Studies)

 

 

 

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