On March 12, 2025, Professor Sönke Knutzen from Hamburg University of Technology visited us. From our university, Director NOMACHI (Center for Global Initiatives), Professor MATSUNO (Graduate School of Science), and Assistant Professor SAKAGUCHI (Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences) participated in the discussion with Professor Knutzen. They exchanged opinions about the ongoing SDGs initiatives at Hamburg University of Technology as well as research and education programs offered at the University of Osaka.

On February 13, 2025, the participants of the Next Generation Challenging Researcher Training Project in North America visited our North American Center located in Berkeley, California. Following a lecture on California by the regional director, the party visited UC Berkeley, where they attended lectures by Prof. Tseng from (School of Public Health) and by Assistant Professor Perone (School of Social Welfare). Despite the unfortunate rainy weather, the participants had a meaningful day at Berkeley including the UC Berkeley Campus tour.

On February 7, 2025, Prof. Kyounghee Moon (Department of International Relations), Prof. Sangho Oh (Department of Law), and others from Changwon National University visited Osaka University to discuss with KOMIZO Yuichi, Director of the East Asian Center for Global Initiatives and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives). The group introduced their respective SDGs initiatives, followed by the exchange of opinions on SDGs-related education and research as well as student exchanges.

On November 24, Director FUJITA Kiyoshi (ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG YA joined the 2024 Study in Japan Fair held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event welcomed a total of over 4000 attendees, with many prospective students from universities and high schools and their parents visiting Osaka University’s booth to ask lots of questions about studying at OU. Representatives from the university provided answers to these questions while introducing the appeal of studying at Osaka University.

On November 11, Ms. LIU Liqin, Deputy Director of the President's Office, Southeast University visited Osaka University to hold a discussion with East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives). The group took a look back on the history of exchange between the universities and exchanged opinions on the promotion of exchange and collaboration in even more fields and further promotion of student exchange.

On November 11, Ms. Grace Osborne (Director, Global Leadership Institute School of Global Policy and Strategy) and Mr. Jacob Searing (Japan Coordinator, Global Leadership Institute School of Global Policy and Strategy) from the University of California, San Diego, OU’s global knowledge partner, visited Osaka University, where they exchanged opinions on study abroad programs with North American Regional Director Scott North of the Center for Global Initiatives.

From November 5 through November 8, Ms. Norlela Hashim and Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Bin Ahmad Shabudin from University of Science Malaysia (USM), a university in Osaka University’s ASEAN Campus project, visited OU to exchange opinions with OU faculty and staff members about efforts to improve research quality and learn about the best practices for it.
They visited the Office of Management and Planning, the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, and the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases to talk with interested individuals.
The group from USM also actively talked with individuals related to the Center for Global Initiatives and the Department of International Affairs about their endeavors in the ASEAN Campus project and international cooperation.

On November 4 and 5, East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) participated in Delta Global Learning Week 2024 - NJU Global Study Fair hosted by Nanjing University (China). 98 students visited Osaka University’s booth at the fair, where Professor Komizo and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Zhang answered questions from students while expressing the appeal of studying at Osaka University. They also participated in a tour of Nanjing University and conversed with other participants from universities such as Nagoya University, University of Wisconsin Madison, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

On October 31, Professor Hsiang-Lin Liu and 10 students from National Taiwan Normal University visited Osaka University to have a conversation with East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives). Following a greeting from Professor Komizo, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Zhang provided an introduction to Osaka University’s study abroad system, after which questions were taken from students.

On October 19, the Osaka University North American Alumni Reunion was held in Los Angeles. 37 individuals attended the reunion, including alumni, OU students currently studying in North America, and North American Regional Director Scott North. This alumni reunion was held online during the COVID-19 pandemic, but for the first time in 5 years, this year’s reunion was held in person, and attendees had a great time.

On October 4, drs. Tim Zwaagstra, Senior Policy Adviser for International Strategy & Relations at the University of Groningen, visited Osaka University to exchange information about areas leading to the development of research and exchange in the future with Europe Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu and Associate Professor OOBAYASHI Saori (Center for Global Initiatives).
They also exchanged opinions on the promotion of student exchange through Osaka University’s European Center for Global Initiatives at the University of Groningen.

On September 30, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) to speak with Associate Professor Suchada Chanprateep Napathornis, who is a graduate of the doctoral program at Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering and is currently in charge of International Hybrid Learning Programs (OUICP | OUICP-S). They exchanged opinions regarding the promotion of student exchange in the future.

On October 10, Ms. Phoebe Lu (Deputy Director, Division of Study Abroad) and Ms. Jennifer Chen (Manager, Division of Study Abroad) of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan visited Osaka University to exchange opinions with East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) on future student exchange between the two universities, including exchange programs and internship programs.

On October 9, Ms. Kristin Kraav, Deputy Head of the International Research Cooperation Department, Estonian Research Council visited Osaka University to exchange opinions with Europe Regional Director NOMACHI Masaharu and Associate Professor OOBAYASHI Saori (Center for Global Initiatives) about the promotion of research in energy and other areas as well as student exchange between OU and Estonia.

On September 17, East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) attended the 2024 Shanghai Education Fair (13:00~18:00), which was held on the Planet Fuchinobe Campus of J. F. Oberlin University.
They attended keynote speeches by representatives of the Shanghai Board of Education, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, and the Higher Education Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, a report session by 8 Japanese and Chinese universities, and themed symposiums.
In the following social gathering session, they talked with representatives from the Shanghai Board of Education, the Shanghai International Exchange Association, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, and Shanghai University.

On September 8, Director FUJITA Kiyoshi (ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA joined the 2024 Study Abroad in Japan Fair held in Bangkok.
At the event, they answered questions from students of the university with which OU has an inter-university agreement and high school who are considering entering OU as full-time students as well as their parents, providing information tailored to each student.
Although the fair was held in person for the first time in 5 years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair attracted 1,240 participants.

On September 6, Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) and others visited the Office of International Affairs and Global Network and the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University. At the Faculty of Economics, Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL met with Prof. Dr. Worawet Suwanrada, a graduate of the doctoral program at Osaka University’s Graduate School of Economics and Osaka University Global Alumni Fellow, talked about Chulalongkorn University’s participation in International Hybrid Learning Programs (OUICP | OUICP-S) and the Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum.

On September 6, Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the International Affairs Division at Kasetsart University to talk about Kasetsart University’s participation in International Hybrid Learning Programs (OUICP | OUICP-S) and the Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum.

On September 5, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Faculty of Science at Mahidol University to talk with Prof. Dr. Choowong Auesukaree, a graduate of the doctoral program at OU’s Graduate School of Engineering, about the future development of student exchange.
At Mahidol University’s Faculty of Science, OU students (who were in training) were seen actively conducting research.

On September 4, Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the International Relations Division at Mahidol University and had a detailed meeting about scheduled research exchange events at the Osaka-Mahidol International Office on Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus.

On August 21, Specially Appointed Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited the Office of International Affairs at Thammasat University, where representatives from the two universities provided introductions to their respective student exchange programs and exchanged opinions on further developing student exchange in the future.

On August 3 and 4, Osaka University joined the 2024 Study in Japan Fair held in Busan and Seoul, Korea. Some 150 and 220 students and their parents visited Osaka University’s booth in Busan and Seoul, respectively. At the booths, East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives), and Professor Tak Yon Soo (Center for Student Success Research and Practice) answered questions from visitors and introduced the appeal of studying at Osaka University.

On July 18, Vice President Wang Kai and 8 students of the College of Foreign Languages, Nankai University (China) visited Osaka University. After a greeting from Director KOMIZO Yuichi (East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and an introduction to Osaka University by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives), Associate Professor KAWAKAMI Mayuko delivered a special lecture.

On July 18, Director FUJITA Kiyoshi (ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA visited King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi, where representatives from the two universities provided introductions to their respective student exchange programs and exchanged opinions on further developing student exchange in the future.

On July 15, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor KANJAMAPORNKUL SATHIDA (Center for Global Initiatives) visited Kasetsart University to share information on student recruiting for international hybrid learning programs (OUICP and OUICP-S) and exchanged opinions on future collaboration.

On July 13 and 14, Osaka University joined the 2024 Study in Japan Fair held in Taipei. Some 300 students and their parents visited Osaka University’s booth over the two-day event, asking lots of questions about studying at OU. At the booth, East Asia Regional Director KOMIZO Yuichi, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives), and Professor Tak Yon Soo (Center for Student Success Research and Practice) answered questions from visitors and introduced the appeal of studying at Osaka University.

From June 16 ~ 22, Director KOMIZO Yuichi (East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) visited universities in Korea: Gyeongsang National University, Chonnam National University, Chung-Ang University, Yonsei University, and Kyung Hee University. At the places they visited, after introducing study abroad organizations, study abroad programs, and student exchange programs at both universities, they exchanged opinions about the promotion of student exchange.
Photos:

Top and bottom right: Kyung Hee University
Top center: Chonnam National University
Top left: Gyeongsang National University
Bottom center: Chung-Ang University
Bottom left: Yonsei University

From May 27 ~ June 4, Director KOMIZO Yuichi (East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) visited universities in Taiwan: National Taiwan Normal University, Academia Sinica, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Chengchi University, and National Cheng Kung University. At the places they visited, after introducing student exchange programs (such as summer programs, exchange programs, and internship programs), they actively exchanged opinions on future student exchange programs.

Photos:

Top right: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Top center: Academia Sinica
Top left: National Taiwan Normal University
Bottom right: National Cheng Kung University
Bottom left: National Chengchi University

From April 24 ~ May 1, Director KOMIZO Yuichi (East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) visited universities in Hong Kong: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and The University of Hong Kong. At the places they visited, after introducing study abroad organizations, student exchange programs (such as summer programs and internship programs) at both universities, they actively exchanged opinions.

Photos:

Top right: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Top left: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Bottom right: The University of Hong Kong
Bottom left: Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

From May 8 ~ May 15, overseas training for faculty and staff members from Mahidol University was conducted at the Osaka-Mahidol International Office on the 6F of Osaka University’s Co-Creative Innovation Building (Suita Campus). Osaka University and Mahidol University are involved in promoting education and research exchange in close cooperation between faculty and staff members through Osaka-Mahidol International Office set up at both universities. For this training program, Ms. Peungjai Tinsulanonda (International Relations Officer) and Ms. Rungtip Pongakasira (General Administrative Officer, Faculty of Physical Therapy) from Mahidol University visited Osaka University to talk with its faculty and staff members and tour its facilities. During a presentation session held on the final day of the program, participants made presentations on the program, exchanging opinions with faculty members from OU.

On Wednesday, April 17, Dr. Guanglei Cheng (Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation) and Dr. Jie Yang (President’s Representative for Global Affairs) visited Osaka University to hold a discussion with Director KOMIZO Yuichi (East Asian Center for Academic Initiatives) and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor ZHANG Xixi (Center for Global Initiatives) about future collaboration between the two universities.

On April 16, 2 faculty members in charge of international relations at Hanyang University ERICA Campus visited Osaka University to talk 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.

On April 5, Dr. Karin Pisarikova, Faculty of Architecture of Brno University of Technology (Czech Republic) visited Osaka University to talk with NOMACHI Masaharu (Director, European Center for Academic Initiatives) and others about student exchange through the European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASUMS) Program and the promotion of academic exchange between the two universities towards the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.