Okayama University held the “30th Friendship Relationship Anniversary Ceremony” on September 5 to celebrate the signing of its International Exchange Agreement with Northeast Normal University in the People’s Republic of China 30 years ago. The event was held in the academic hall of Northeast Normal University’s main campus library. During the event, a joint declaration and a five-year agreement on student exchange were signed.

The ceremony drew about 150 participants, including Northeast Normal University President Liu Yichun, Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang Hideki Ishizuka, and Okayama University President Kiyoshi Morita. President Liu Yichun opened the ceremony by reviewing the history of academic exchange between the two universities and called for further interactions as they seek globalization going forward. Consul General Ishizuka said, “Okayama University’s long-time activities in China’s northeast region are major contributions to both Japan and China,” and toasted the 30th anniversary of the friendship exchange between the two universities. President Morita expressed gratitude to all parties who supported the two universities’ friendship relationship, saying, “Northeast Normal University is one of Okayama University’s oldest and strongest exchange partners. I hope that both universities’ exchange activities will further deepen and grow both schools’ friendship relationship.” Afterwards, the presidents of both universities signed a joint declaration on further exchange between the schools. Northeast Normal University Vice President Han Dongyu and Okayama University Executive Director and Vice President Masaru Araki (in charge of international affairs) signed a five-year agreement on student exchange.

On the same day, the “30th Friendship Relationship Anniversary Commemorative International Symposium” was held in the lecture hall of Northeast Normal University’s Preparatory School For Chinese Students to Japan on the Jingyue campus. With the theme of “Challenges and prospect of global education in China and Japan,” the conference deepened exchange between the two universities.

At the symposium, Vice President Han Dongyu gave the keynote address with the message of “valuing friendships and overcoming difficulties together.” In addition, Executive Director and Vice President Araki, Vice Principal Xu Bing of the Preparatory School For Chinese Students to Japan, and Professor Toshinori Kuwabara of Okayama University Graduate School of Education gave talks on global education. With Party Secretary An Zaihe of the Preparatory School as the moderator, about 200 participants and students attended with keen interest. Also discussed were the theme of global education in Japan and China and the importance of further strengthening the relationship between the two universities. After the symposium, a commemorative photo of the participants was taken in front of the cherry tree given by Okayama University.

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Okayama University Office in Changchun and Shanghai, China
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