On December 5, a signing ceremony for a student exchange agreement between the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan (Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, and Kumamoto University) and the University System of Taipei (Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Taipei University, and National Taiwan Ocean University) was held at Okayama University.

With representatives from both consortia in attendance, the agreement was signed by Vice President SUZUKI Takayoshi (International Affairs and Alumni) of Okayama University, who serves as Director of the Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS), and President Wang Sea-Fue of National Taipei University of Technology, the coordinating institution of the University System of Taipei.

Since concluding an international exchange agreement in June 2020, the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan and the University System of Taipei have maintained a close partnership by holding annual joint symposiums aimed at promoting research collaboration and strengthening networks. In May of this year, the two consortia renewed their international exchange agreement.

The newly signed student exchange agreement aims to provide students of member universities with meaningful cross-border academic experiences. Through this agreement, the two consortia will further advance international educational exchange in addition to their ongoing research collaboration. Vice President SUZUKI expressed his appreciation for the long-standing cooperative relationship and his expectations for further deepening collaboration in the future.

On the same day, following the signing ceremony, the 5th Joint Symposium was held at Okayama University’s Knowledge and Innovation Building with Integrated Networks in Okayama through Vibrant Exchange (KIBINOVE). As a new initiative, a youth session for students was organized. Students from 10 member universities of the two consortia participated online and actively exchanged ideas from the perspective of “What can we do as students?” based on the themes discussed at the symposium. This initiative marked the first activity under the newly concluded agreement and served as an important first step toward promoting future student exchanges.

○The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan
The Consortium was established in March 2013 for the purpose of further strengthening functions of education, academic research, social contribution, etc., and promoting human resource development and upgrading academic research to lead global society through cooperation among the six national universities, while respecting their independence and self-reliance.

○Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS)
An organization established within the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan to promote international collaboration and cooperation among the six national universities. Okayama University Vice President SUZUKI Takayoshi International Affairs and Alumni) serves as the director of the organization.