On October 5, President Tora Holmberg of Umeå University, Sweden, and Ms. Petra Käck, Assistant Head of Office / Communications Officer at the university’s International Office, visited Okayama University and paid a courtesy visit to President Yasutomo Nasu. They were welcomed by Vice Executive Director Mitsunobu Kano (Future Human Resource Development [SDGs Co-creation, DEI, and Attached Schools and Kindergartens]) and Professor Yasuyuki Yoshiba, Dean of the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems.

In May 2026, Okayama University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Region Västerbotten, where Umeå University is located. This visit marked the first visit to Okayama University by representatives of Umeå University following the signing of the MoU, which was made possible through exchanges between Vice Executive Director Kano and Region Västerbotten.

During the meeting, participants discussed regional development outside major metropolitan areas, a challenge shared by Japan and Sweden, as well as broader societal issues that require collective action, including population aging, declining birthrates, and challenges associated with artificial intelligence (AI). President Nasu introduced the use of digital technologies through the “Digital Garden City Health Special Zone,” in which Okayama University participates. He explained how this initiative serves as a model for addressing regional challenges, including those related to health and medical care, in the face of population decline and an aging society.

Following the courtesy visit, President Holmberg participated as a presenter in the pre-kickoff event for the Okayama Leading Initiative for Value creation and Education (OLIVE), a platform being developed to foster collaboration for the future of the Okayama region.

This visit is expected to further develop exchanges and collaboration between Okayama University and Umeå University.

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Please note that this content was translated by a machine and may contain errors.