On Thursday, December 12, 2024, we held a completion ceremony for two short-term exchange students from Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan, with whom we have an academic exchange agreement. The two students, Chang,Yu-Chen and Jian, Cih Siou, spent about two months from October in the Maya Nishikori Laboratory of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture.

At the ceremony, both students reported on the content of their training experiences and the results of their study in Japan, and presented their knowledge of Japanese architecture and culture. Afterwards, President Hironori Watanabe presented them with certificates of attendance, and Vice President Satoshi Ishii presented them with commemorative gifts.

It is hoped that the valuable experience gained through this study abroad program will be brought back to their home countries and shared to further deepen the exchange between Chung Yuan Christian University and our university in the future.

On October 23, Dr. Young Kwak from Delaware State University, along with his wife, visited our university. Previously, on September 6. Dr. Simon Cook of the General Education Center visited Delaware State University to discuss potential exchanges between the two institutions with Dr. Kwak.

During this recent visit, both universities presented an overview of their programs, sharing insights into their educational philosophies and research activities. Following this exchange, a formal signing of the agreement took place, where both institutions pledged to enhance their future collaborations and growth.

This initiative is expected to advance international educational exchanges, providing meaningful opportunities for both students and faculty. It was a significant step toward the continued development of both universities and a fruitful partnership ahead.

Two students from the Design Department of Chung Yuan Christian University (Taiwan), with which our university has an academic exchange agreement, began a short-term study program at our university on Monday, October 7, for approximately two and a half months.

The Faculty of Architecture at our university has previously engaged in student exchange programs with the Design Department at Chung Yuan Christian University, and this is the first time in six years that we have welcomed students from their university.

On Wednesday, October 9,  they visited President Hironori Watanabe, and together with Associate Professor Maya Nishikiori, they held discussions about future exchanges.

On Monday, September 8, a delegation led by President Ma Xiuquan of Liaoning University of Technology (China), with which our university has an academic exchange agreement, visited our campus. This visit provided an important opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between our two universities.

Since the signing of the agreement in 2018, both universities have seen changes in leadership; therefore, we held a formal re-signing of the agreement, pledging to enhance our future exchanges and cooperation.

We look forward to deepening our mutual learning and collaboration.

Akari Nishizawa (2nd year, Department of Architecture), Akihiro Ogiyma (4th year, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) and Rika Koiwa (2nd year, Master of Design Engineering) went to Brighton to study at ELC (The English Language Centre), a language school with which the University has a friendly relationship, for three weeks.

From Monday 19 August to Friday 6 September, they experienced local culture and life through homestays while taking enriching English lessons. In addition to improving their English language skills, it was a valuable opportunity for them to deepen their understanding of different cultures through interaction with local people.

First-year architecture student Kodai Watanabe participated in the SOAS International Summer Programme 2024, held at SOAS, University of London, UK,with which the University has concluded an academic exchange agreement.

The summer programme was held from Monday 19 August to Friday 6 September, during which time he was able to improve his English through various lectures and activities, as well as gaining valuable experience that could only be gained locally.

Kentaro Suzuki, a fourth-year student in the Department of Civil Engineering, participated in the TNI Summer Programme 2024, which was held at the Tai-Nichi Institute of Technology, which has an academic exchange agreement with the University.

The programme was held over nine days from Monday 26 August to Tuesday 3 September, and he spent a fulfilling time interacting with local students and experiencing different cultures.

On December 5, 2024, a meeting was held at the Yagiyama Campus of Tohoku Institute of Technology to discuss the signing of an international exchange agreement with Linyi University in China. Representatives from both universities attended and exchanged opinions on the content of the agreement.

During the meeting, each university explained its features and the significance of the exchange. Following this, the details of the agreement were confirmed, and a confirmation letter was signed. This confirmation letter marks the first step in promoting international exchange activities between the two universities over the next three years.

It is expected that the exchange between students and faculty members of both universities will further deepen in the future.