In recent years, an increasing number of universities have been formulating and implementing plans to carry out comprehensive activities at overseas bases. As part of its proposed model for strengthening international outreach, Osaka University has established overseas education and research centers in San Francisco (USA), Groningen (The Netherlands), and Bangkok (Thailand) with full-time home-based faculty and staff. At the overseas centers, Osaka University faculty lends its support to collaborative research projects being undertaken in the region of their locality. They also take every opportunity to disseminate information on Osaka University, considered invaluable as it proceeds on the road towards internationalization. The centers also fully support student exchange.

(Translation from the original in Japanese)

San Francisco Center for Education and Research http://www.osaka-u-sf.org/

Osaka University opened the San Francisco Center in May 2004 as its education and research center for the North American region. The five roles/functions performed by the Center and their main activities are stated below.

1. To promote interaction between researchers and between students, and gathering and disseminating information for this purpose;
   
   
2. To promote educational exchange and e-Learning programs and language learning programs;
   
   
3. To facilitate international collaborative research by, for example, hosting joint symposiums with member universities of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and other institutions;
   
   
4. To function as a liaison in arranging academic exchange agreements and for establishing networks between academia and industry by acting as an intermediary between research institutions and the private sector; and
   
   
5. To function as an alumni center that provides information to Osaka University alumni and former exchange students living in the U.S. and Canada and conducts alumni activities.

In school year 2005, the Center organized e-Learning lectures under the title of, “The World Today From San Francisco”. The invited lecturers were all leaders and experts in their various fields of specialty, including the Consul General of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, an attorney, executives of a local financial institution, and a local company. The lectures were transmitted live using the Center’s televised conference system. The e-Learning received favorable reviews, and attendees felt that the lecturers were actually present, particularly during the question-and-answer period between the students and lecturers.

In school year 2006, concerted efforts will be made to improve the e-Learning lectures. A planned lecture will be held in English, given by lecturers invited from leading American universities entitled, “World Academics - Insights From American Universities”. The Center plans to continue with such programs to cultivate international awareness in the students. Through improvements in the curriculum, they will enhance students’ ability to use their English in real-life situations.

Furthermore, during the summer recess, the Center facilitated summer language courses; one organized for science and engineering graduate students, the other for students of the Graduate School of Law. In September 2005, the Center invited Prof. Satoshi Kawata of the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, and executives of local companies who are active in conducting collaborative research with American universities as lecturers for a seminar held on nanotechnology, which had a large number of participants.

On April 21-22, 2006, Osaka University and the University of California at Berkeley jointly organized the APRU/AEARU Research Symposium "Earthquake Hazards Around the Pacific Rim - Global Watch and Environmental Impact" in San Francisco. On the 21st, the opening ceremony was held with the attendance of Dr. Hideo Miyahara, President of Osaka University, Dr. Naoshi Suzuki, Vice-President of Osaka University, Dr. Hideo Hashimoto, Trustee of Osaka University, Prof. Edward Epstein, representative of the University of California at Berkeley, and Dr. Lawrence Loh, Secretary General of APRU and Vice-President of National University of Singapore. Over the period of two days, 26 presentations were made and there was an active exchange of opinions. A portion of the lectures were public lectures and open to the public free-of-charge. Approximately 100 people (including approx. 20 U.S. citizens) participated in the symposium.

The Center was also able to introduce the research activities of Osaka University by actively participating in international conferences such as NAFSA and BIO. Efforts were made to further promote exchange of students and researchers by visiting academic institutions such as the University of California with which Osaka University has concluded academic exchange agreements. The Center is also involved with local community organizations such as the Japan Society and the Osaka-San Francisco Sister City Association by which it strives to expand its exchange network in the North American region.

(Translation from the original in Japanese)

Groningen Center for Education and Researchhttp://www.osaka-u-groningen.org/

Osaka University inaugurated the Groningen Centre as its base of operations in Europe by holding the opening ceremony on October 24, 2005.
Approximately 150 persons attended the opening ceremony which was held in the main building of the University of Groningen built in the early 1900s, including representatives from Osaka University, the University of Groningen, Japanese organizations based in the Netherlands, and officials from the Government of the Netherlands. In his speech, Dr. Hideo Miyahara, President of Osaka University, explained the purpose of setting up overseas bases and expressed his appreciation to all persons concerned. Congratulatory messages were received from Dr. Simon K. Kuipers, President of the University of Groningen, Japanese Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr. Kyoji Komachi, and Mr. Jose C. M. van Schie, Alderman for Education of Groningen City. Following their messages, keynote speeches were presented by Prof. Toshio Yanagida of the Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences and Prof. Takao Kashiwagi, Dean of the Graduate School of Letters, both of Osaka University, Prof. Dr. Ben L. Feringa, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Prof. Rien T. Segers of the Center for Japan Studies, both of the University of Groningen. Their speeches focused on the cutting-edge research and the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands.

On the 25th and 26th, a symposium focusing on three fields: the humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, and medicine, was held in the city. Cutting-edge scientific research in both countries was introduced and participants actively discussed the seeds for future collaborative research.

In August 2006, a short-term training program was conducted with the participation of twenty liberal arts students of Osaka University. This program was held at the University of Groningen, which has actively played a supportive role in the establishment of the Groningen Centre and its operations. In addition to studies in the culture and language of the Netherlands, the students were able to actually audit various classes offered at the university. This program was considered an introductory programs for those who might wish to participate in other educational exchange programs.

Furthermore, in October 2006, approximately twenty faculty members of the University of Groningen visited Osaka University where ideas and opinions were shared on a range of topics, including researcher interaction and the student exchange program. In addition, a panel discussion and open symposium were also held. The panel discussion was conducted in three fields: liberal arts, science and engineering, and medicine. The open symposium entitled, “Osaka-Groningen: On the Future Prospects of Japan-Dutch Interchange,” gained the participation of representatives of Osaka University and the University of Groningen as well as the Vice-Governor of Osaka Prefecture and the Consul General of the Consulate General of the Netherlands at Osaka-Kobe. Discussion centered on the future direction of interchange between Japan and the Netherlands through the collaborative activities of Osaka University and the University of Groningen.

In other areas, the Groningen Centre actively participates in international conferences, such as the Annual EAIE Meeting and overseas study fairs held by relevant organizations, to introduce Osaka University’s research activities and overseas study program. Academic institutions within Europe that have academic exchange agreements with Osaka University are also visited to promote the interaction of students and researchers. Through Japanese-affiliated agencies (Japanese Chamber of Commerce, JETRO, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the liaison offices of the Osaka Prefectural Government and Osaka City Government), the Groningen Centre continues to be involved in a number of events in various capacities, from actual planning to participation, and is thereby endeavoring to enhance Osaka University’s visibility in Europe.

(Translation from the original in Japanese)

Bangkok Center for Education and Research　http://www.osaka-u-bangkok.org/

In addition to the two education and research centers mentioned above, Osaka University opened an education and research center in Bangkok, Thailand in April 2006 targeted for the Asian region.

Parallel to Osaka University’s dynamic interaction with China and Korea, its interaction with the countries of Southeast Asia, especially in terms of joint international research and planning for international collaborative projects, has produced outstanding results over the past few decades. In particular, both the International Center for Biotechnology at Mahidol University, and the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases at the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the Ministry of Public Health, Government of Thailand, have established the Cooperative Research Station in Southeast Asia and the Research Collaboration Center on Emerging and Re-emerging Infections, respectively. With Osaka University taking the leading role, these research centers have been undertaking education- and research-related activities. Furthermore, an alumni association was established in Thailand where there are a large number of overseas alumni who previously studied at Osaka University. Attention is now being given to strengthening Osaka University’s alumni network within the country.

On October 16-17, a ceremony and seminar were held in commemoration of the opening of Osaka University’s Bangkok Center for Education and Research. In conjunction with the opening ceremony, academic exchange agreements were concluded with three more universities. In addition to Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and the National Institute of Health, Osaka University currently has academic exchange agreements with Thammasat University, Kasetsart University, and King Mongkuts Institute of Technology, Thonburi.

The opening ceremony held on the 16th gained the participation of guests from various circles totaling approximately 190 guests, far exceeding expectations. Guests included relevant persons from Osaka University, representatives of the five universities and one agency with which Osaka University has academic exchange agreements, embassy officials, Japanese-affiliated groups in Thailand, Japanese alumni, and Thai alumni. The ceremony commenced with an introduction of Osaka University by Dr. Hideo Miyahara, President of Osaka University, followed by congratulatory messages by the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Hideaki Kobayashi; Prof. Khunying Suchada Kiranandana, President of Chulalongkorn University; Prof. Pornchai Matangkasombut, President of Mahidol University; Dr. Paijit Warachit, Director of the National Institute of Health; Prof. Kraiwood Kiattikomo, President of King Mongkuts Institute of Technology, Thonburi; Prof. Surapon Nitikraipot, President of Thammasat University; and Assoc.Prof. Wattana Swanyatiputi, President of Kasetsart University. The program proceeded with commemorative speeches by Dr. Taroh Kinoshita, Director of the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, and Prof. Satoshi Ogihara of the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University. The program closed with an introduction of Osaka University’s alumni association in Thailand. It was a ceremony most befitting the commencement of the Bangkok Center’s operations in Thailand.

The commemorative seminar held on the 17th was conducted on six fields reflecting the extensive scope of research linking Thailand’s universities and Osaka University human sciences, pharmaceutical science, education network, engineering science, research on microbial diseases, and Japanese language education and active deliberations were conducted between the participants from Thailand and Japan.

The aims of the Bangkok Center are to serve as a hub for both the research and educational aspects of Osaka University’s activities in the Southeast Asian region; to establish an education and research network which enhances the feasibility of working in close cooperation with Osaka University through the promotion of GCN Worldwide, and encourage further interaction through the dissemination of research results; and, in essence, to promote international exchange between both researchers and students over a broad range of activities through Osaka University.

Towards achieving the above goals, the roles/functions the Bangkok Center is expected to fulfill are as follows:

1. In fulfilling the primary mission of Osaka University, aim to promote interaction with students, researchers, and alumni, with a focus on the training of graduate students and up-and-coming researchers;
   
   
2. With consideration to the distinctive characteristics of the region, to plan and promote collaborative research concerning biological resources, environmental conservation, and infectious diseases, and function as a collaborative research support center. Give priority to devising plans and proposals for providing assistance to new projects on the control of infectious diseases so that they may be used as models for project assistance; and
   
   
3. Provide assistance to on-site training by Osaka University students and collaborative research in the fields of the social sciences and economics as well as international medicine and international environmental conservation.

(Translation from the original in Japanese)