On May 15, President NASU Yasutomo, SUZUKI Takayoshi, Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni, and Prof. Dean. ICHINOSE Yuki, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. SHIKATA Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, prior to attending the opening ceremony of the Okayama University Japan Educational Information Center (OJEIC) Malaysia office. The office was established under the "Global Network Project to Promote Study in Japan (ASEAN Regional Office)" commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

During the meeting, H.E. Mr. Shikata emphasized the importance of promoting inter-university collaboration and student exchange between Japan and Malaysia to further strengthen bilateral relations. Building on this, Mr. KITAOKA Tatsuya, counsellor at the Embassy of Japan to Malaysia, provided an overview of efforts to promote double degree and joint degree programs. In addition, he shared insights from recent visits to Malaysian private universities, highlighting their distinctive initiatives and discussing the impact of rising household incomes and other evolving social conditions on the education sector.

From Okayama University, the delegation introduced the initiatives of the project, followed by an exchange of opinions on future activities. The OJEIC Malaysia office will continue to promote Study-in-Japan activities throughout Malaysia, incorporating the valuable advice received from H.E. Mr. Shikata and Mr. Kitaoka.