Since the 1970s, the University of Osaka has been establishing partnerships with universities and institutions in the ASEAN region through education and research exchanges. With this as a cornerstone, the University of Osaka has launched the ASEAN Campus Project in 2017 and been promoting it since then. Through this project, the University of Osaka aims to foster individuals capable of solving regional and global societal issues as well as apply research outcomes to society through co-creation. This will not only be with academic institutions in each country, but with government organizations and companies while also facilitating collaborations between researchers and students.
The ASEAN region, where many Japanese companies are expanding their business and deepening relations, contrasts Japan in numerous ways, including the culture, climate, laws, social systems and norms, and religion. These differences provide the University of Osaka with diversity and foster innovative ideas within the university through collaborations with the region. UOsaka's motto of “Live Locally, Grow Globally,” embodies individuals who play an active role in the world while retaining strong foundations in their local communities. I look forward to seeing individuals from our university community serve as bridges between ASEAN countries and Japan, as well as the rest of the world.