On August 25, a delegation from the Preparatory School for Chinese Students to Japan at Northeast Normal University, including Branch Secretary Zou Yunlong, visited Okayama University and paid a courtesy call on President NASU Yasutomo. From Okayama University, Vice President SUZUKI Takayoshi (International Affairs and Alumni Relations) and Vice President OKAYASU Mitsuhiro (International Education and Endowment Strategy) attended the meeting.

In a cordial atmosphere, the participants exchanged views on the history of academic exchange between the two universities and their recent activities. President Nasu expressed his appreciation for the long-standing relationship between the two institutions. He also highlighted Okayama’s historical ties to Japan-China friendship and introduced calligraphy by Guo Moruo, a graduate of the Sixth Higher School in Okayama who was active as a Chinese literary scholar, historian, and politician and played an important role in building bridges between Japan and China.

In addition to the courtesy call, the delegation exchanged views on specialized Japanese-language education as part of the Preparatory Education Program for Chinese Students to Japan and met with students from Northeast Normal University currently studying at Okayama University.

Northeast Normal University was the first university in Asia with which Okayama University concluded a university-wide agreement, and this year marks the 40th anniversary of the agreement. The two universities have actively promoted educational and research exchanges through various initiatives, including the Okayama University-North East China Universities platform, Graduate Student Exchange Program (O-NECUS), launched in 2011; the Preparatory Education Program for Chinese Students to Japan, in which Okayama University has served as the Japanese coordinating university since 2015; and student and faculty research exchanges between Northeast Normal University and the School of Education and Graduate School of Education at Okayama University, also launched in 2015.

Okayama University also has its Changchun Office on the campus of Northeast Normal University, where local staff provide support for the university’s activities throughout China.

Building on the long history of exchange between the two universities, further development of their collaboration is expected in the years ahead.

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