Vice President YOKOI Atsufumi, Vice President for Global Engagement at Okayama University, participated in Association of International Educators (NAFSA) 2026, one of the world’s largest international education conferences, held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from May 26 to 29. Appointed as an Advisor to Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Vice President Yokoi spoke as a representative of the Japanese government.

In this role, he participated in two major sessions: the Japan Session, titled “The Digital Age Imperative: Multicultural Co-learning for International Education,” and the Global Outlook Spotlight Panel, which examined emerging trends in international higher education.

The Japan Session was moderated by Ms. FURUYA Kaori, Deputy Director for International Affairs Division, Higher Education Bureau at MEXT. Vice President Yokoi spoke alongside Assistant Professor ISHIDA Ayame of the Division of International Affairs at Kansai University, who participated on behalf of Professor IKEDA Yoshiko, Vice Director of the Institute for Innovative Global Education. Drawing on Okayama University’s initiatives in multicultural co-learning, Vice President Yokoi introduced AI-enhanced educational models designed to help Japanese students overcome barriers to participation, including anxiety about using English, and to foster more inclusive international learning environments.

The Global Outlook Spotlight Panel was moderated by Dr. Ahmad Ezzeddine, Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Washington, NAFSA President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Fellow panelists included Professor José Celso Freire Junior, Vice President for International Affairs at São Paulo State University (UNESP), and Ms. Esther Benjamin, CEO and Executive Director of World Education Services.

Panel discussions focused on how geopolitical shifts, demographic changes, and technological innovation are transforming the landscape of international higher education. Participants explored the need to redefine internationalization, build sustainable global partnerships, and articulate the value of international education in an increasingly complex world.

During the discussion, Vice President Yokoi emphasized that contemporary global challenges—including climate change, biodiversity loss, and broader sustainability crises—should be understood not only as scientific and political issues but also as crises of ethics, values, and worldviews. He argued that the future of university internationalization must extend beyond physical mobility programs such as study abroad and incorporate international perspectives directly into learning environments through multicultural co-learning.

Vice President Yokoi further highlighted the potential of technologies such as AI-powered real-time translation and digital consensus-building tools to create more inclusive educational environments, enabling a wider range of students to participate in international learning regardless of their language proficiency or overseas experience.

Guided by its vision of “Realizing a sustainable future for humanity through the creation, evolution, and transmission of advanced knowledge across generations,” Okayama University will continue to strengthen collaboration with international networks such as NAFSA, contribute to the global presence of Japanese higher education, and promote multicultural co-learning as a pathway toward a more sustainable and inclusive society.