[AY2023] Activity at Overseas Centers

On Friday, May 3, 2024, Osaka University will hold its Homecoming Day, an event where alumni, faculty, and staff members from Osaka University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies gather together on campus to deepen their ties as members of the OU Family, so please invite your family and friends and join us! Those who wish to attend must fill out an application via the URL below by Sunday, April 14, 2024. Form: https://forms.office.com/r/F5hFq8msNB *Note: If there are too many applications, participants will be chosen by lottery.
*Those who have completed their application will receive a conformation email by Friday, April 26. A special website for Homecoming Day, packed with all kinds of content to get you ready for the event, is now live, so please check it out!

On March 8, 2024, the Osaka University Shanghai Alumni Association held its Alumni Reunion in Shanghai, where East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi gave updates on activities at Osaka University. 26 participants enjoyed the reunion and had a good time together.

On March 14, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) participated in the Japan Study Abroad Fair held at Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Humanities in Bangkok, Thailand. Since this fair was intended for students majoring Japanese Language, there were numerous inquiries about the Maple Program at OU. Some 40 individuals visited Osaka University’s booth to learn about studying at OU.

On March 6, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Mahidol-Osaka Joint Campus Office at Mahidol University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts to hold the pre-departure orientation session for 5 students before their study abroad experience.

On February 21, 2024, from Chonnam National University in South Korea, Min-Suk Kook (Dean, Office of External and Global Engagement), Chung-Chul Roh (Director of International Affairs, Office of External and Global Engagement), and Eunjee Park (Team Leader, International Students Support, Office of International Affairs) visited Osaka University. They talked with KOMIZO Yuichi, Director of East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) about student exchange programs and summer programs in order to revitalize interaction between the two universities in the future.

From February 17~ March 5, 2024, a short study program was held at one of Osaka University’s Global Knowledge Partners, the University of Groningen in the Netherlands where OU’s European Center for Global Initiatives is located. Six students, accompanied by NOMACHI Masaharu (Director, European Center for Academic Initiatives), participated in the program. The participants in the program improved their English comprehensive skills in presentation, communication, and writing, and deepened their understanding of how the people of the Netherlands build relationships with those from other cultures and their efforts to solve global issues.

The Office for Developing Next-Generation Researchers of the Institute for Transdisciplinary Graduate Degree Programs held a study abroad program in the U.S. for a week in early February. On February 2, 2024, as part of the program, a workshop was conducted by the North American Center for Academic Initiatives. This was the second workshop, following the first one held in January 2023. Receiving the lecture on social history of California from Regional Director Scott North, the participants took a campus tour of the University of California, Berkeley under bright and sunny skies. At the end of the tour, Professor Tseng and Professor Mauss from UC Berkeley gave lectures on public health in the U.S., using data collected from medical professionals. To see this program and other activity of this center, visit the center's Facebook page. (You can view these posts even if you don’t have a Facebook account.)

On January 27, 2024, the Los Angeles Alumni Association held its 2024 New Year’s Party. Dr. Scott North (Regional Director of the North American Center for Academic Initiatives) had been invited to the New Year’s Party twice before, but was unable to attend. The third time was the charm for him. He was finally able to participate in the party, providing an update on the university in the Kansai dialect spoken in and around the Osaka region. We’d like to thank the members of the LA Alumni Association for warmly welcoming Director North.

On January 31, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) participated in the MU Study Abroad Fair & Taiwan Mini Job Fair 2024 held by the Administrative Division and International Relations Division at Mahidol University. Some 130 students and their parents visited Osaka University’s booth at the event.

On January 29, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Faculty of Engineering at the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, where she met with Dean Anchalee Supithak and Dr. Sawanya Suwannawong (Lecturer) to give explanations regarding the ASEAN Campus Project and educational programs.

On January 29, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Office of the President Building at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), where she met with Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong (Vice President for Internationalization) and other representatives from KMUTT to give explanations regarding the ASEAN Campus Project and educational programs.

On January 26, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Faculty of Public Health at Mahidol University, where she met with Ms. Chenchira Nathathong (Head of International Relations) and Ms. Sunanta Thaipop (Head of Public Relations) to give explanations regarding the ASEAN Campus Project and educational programs.

On January 25, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) participated in the Chula Study Abroad Fair 2024 held by Chulalongkorn University. Some 116 students and their parents visited Osaka University’s booth at the event.

On January 24, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Japanese Language Program, Department of Eastern Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, where she met with Assistant Professor Pratchayaporn Rattanapongpinyo and Dr. Patcharaphan Suvanakoot (Lecturer) to give explanations regarding the ASEAN Campus Project and educational programs.

On February 2, 2024, Assistant Professor SooJung Lee in charge of international exchange, Hongik University, South Korea visited Osaka University. After outlining the features of Hongik University, she introduced its student exchange and summer programs, and exchanging opinions about future student exchange with Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives).

On January 23, 2024, Deputy Director General Liang Kailong and 4 others (Department of Science and Technology, Shandong Government) and Professor Wu Chuansong (School of Material Science and Engineering and Shandong University) visited Osaka University to participate in an exchange meeting with its Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI). In addition to Director FUJII Hidetoshi, Lecturer KOMEN Hisaya, and Assistant Professor Wu Dongsheng from WRI, Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) participated in the meeting. Looking back at the long exchange between the two universities in materials science, they actively discussed their future academic exchange and student exchange.

On January 23, 2024, a group of 26 students and 3 faculty members from Dalian University of Technology in China visited Osaka University. After a greeting from Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and an introduction to Osaka University by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives), the group toured Osaka University’s Research Center for Nuclear Physics.

On January 22, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Faculty of Physical Therapy on Mahidol University's Salaya Campus, where she met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarugool Tretriluxana (Dean, Faculty of Physical Therapy) to discuss future collaboration

On January 22, 2024, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Sathida KANJAMAPORNKUL (Center for Global Initiatives) visited Mahidol University International College (MUIC), where she met with Asst. Prof. Dale Konstanz (Associate Dean for International Affairs) to discuss future collaboration.

On January 17, 2024, Vice President Suhan Woo and 2 others from Chung-Ang University, South Korea made a courtesy call to Executive Vice President YAMAMOTO Beverley Anne. From Osaka University, Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) attended a meeting. Following an introduction to both universities by their respective representatives, the group primarily discussed student exchange, exchanging opinions on the possibilities of further student exchange between the two universities.

On January 9, 2024, Chen Haitao (Division of Asian and African Affairs, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)) and Zheng Meiling (Researcher, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS) visited Osaka University to discuss research and student exchange with Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives).

On January 9, 2024, a group of 18 students and 7 faculty members of Gyeongsang National University (Korea) visited Osaka University. Following a greeting from Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and an introduction to Osaka University by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives). The group participated in a social gathering with 3 students from Gyeongsang National University studying at Osaka University and visited the Osaka University Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy.

On December 11, 2023, Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu of the European Center for Academic Initiatives had discussions with Prof. Wolfgang Hillert (Vice Dean for Research, International and Technology Transfer), Dr. Janie Wermter (Advisor for Internationalization and Promotion of doctoral and early Career Researchers) and others about the possibilities of exchange among graduate students in science courses.

On December 8, 2023, Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu of the European Center for Academic Initiatives visited Department of Technical Cooperation, Division for Asia and the Pacific (TCAP) of IAEA to discuss with Director Jane Gerado-Abaya and Section Head Marina Binti Mishar.

On December 7, 2023, FUJITA Kiyoshi (Regional Director, ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology to meet with Wanwimon Roungtheera (Dean, College of General Education and Languages), Suwanya Suwannawong (Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering), and Suwatana Daengsubha (Lecturer, Japanese for International Business, Faculty of Global Communication).

On December 7, 2023, FUJITA Kiyoshi (Regional Director, ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited Chulalongkorn University to meet with Professor Worawet Suwanrada of the Faculty of Economics.

On December 6, 2023, FUJITA Kiyoshi (Regional Director, ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited Mahidol University to meet with Wanpimon Senapadpakorn (Director, Division of International Relations), attending the opening ceremony of Christmas (Movie) Day at Mahidol University.

On December 1, 2023, a group led by Vice President Xu Xiangmin of South China University of Technology visited Osaka University to discuss research and student exchange with FUJITA Kiyoshi (Director, Center for International Affairs), Specially Appointed Professor KOMIZO Yuichi (Regional Director, East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives), and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives).

On November 30, 2023, a group of 25 students from China visited OU under the Chinese Students Visit-Japan Project. After touring the Research Center for Nuclear Physics, facilitated by they conducted group work Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi, the students conducted group work with OU students.

Starting from November 28 to November 29, 2023, the 13th Japan-China University Presidents’ Conference was held under the auspices of Hiroshima University, a managing university. From Japan and China, some 160 people, including presidents and vice presidents from 37 universities and those related to the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) organizations, participated in the conference to discuss the promotion of academic exchange and student exchange between the two nations and the new shape of education and research at university. OU staff had an individual meeting with each university: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Nankai University, Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Beijing Normal University, Xiamen University, and Xi'an Jiaotong University.

On November 27, 2023, a group led by Dr. Adeline Lassaux of the Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France to Japan visited Osaka University, where they discussed research and student exchange with Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu of the European Center for Academic Initiatives and Associate Professor OOBAYASHI Saori of the Center for Global Initiatives.

On November 22, 2023, a group led by Director of Non-Regular Education Ridwan Sutriadi of Institut Teknologi Bandung visited Osaka University, where they discussed research and student exchange with Regional Director FUJITA Kiyoshi of the ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives and Professor SUMIMURA Yoshinori and Specially Appointed Associate Professor Clement ANGKAWIDJAJA of the Center for Global Initiatives.

On November 24, 2023, a group led by Prof. Dr. Axel Gehrmann of Dresden University of Technology visited Osaka University, where they discussed research and student exchange with Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu of the European Center for Academic Initiatives and Associate Professor OOBAYASHI Saori of the Center for Global Initiatives.

On November 14, 2023, OU participated in the 9th Japan-China Education Exchange Conference held at Waseda University. At a sectional meeting in the afternoon, OU set up a booth to have an interaction with universities and educational institutes in China, such as Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and China University of Petroleum (East China). From Japan and China, some 800 people, including representatives from 185 universities and educational institutes as well as those related to the Chinese Embassy, MEXT, and the China Education Association for International Exchange, participated in the conference.

On November 7, 2023, a group led by Dr. Barbara Good of the University of Vienna's International Office visited Osaka University, where they discussed research and student exchange with Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu of the European Center for Academic Initiatives and Regional Director Scott North of the North American Center for Academic Initiatives.

On October 27, 2023, Osaka University participated in the 24th China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. OU also participated in the higher education sectional meeting “Let’s Build a Sustainable Future by Supporting Human Resource Development with a Unified Effort by the World,” which was sponsored by the Double First-Class University Construction International Exchange Subcommittee and Dalian University of Technology.

Osaka University participated in the 2023 Shandong University (SDU) Global Partners Week in order to give participating students a chance to know about the university. The event was held with 23 universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of California, Berkeley, The University of Adelaide, and Sungkyunkwan University, in attendance from Monday, October 23 ~ Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

On October 12, 2023, Dr. SEKI Tatsuji (Osaka University Professor Emeritus and Director of Osaka University’s Bangkok Center for Education and Research from 2007-2013), received an honorary doctorate degree in microbiology from Kasetsart University for his many years of academic contributions to the university. He was given the honorary degree diploma personally by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. (The Bangkok Center for Education and Research later became Osaka University’s ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives.)

On October 7 and October 8, 2023, OU participated in the Study-in-Japan Fair in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to tell how amazing OU is to 1181 Mongolian students who visited the fair.

On October 2, 2023, Prof. Magali SVRCEK (Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sorbonne University) visited Osaka University’s Graduate School of Medicine accompanied by NOMACHI Masaharu (Director, European Center for Academic Initiatives). There, the two discussed student exchange with Vice Dean FUJIMOTO Manabu of the Graduate School of Medicine and Director WATABE Kenji of the Medical Education Center.