Dr. Bruce Lankford, Head of the School of International Development of the University of East Anglia visited Kobe University on Jan. 26. The School of International Development, UEA and the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies at Kobe University signed an inter-university agreement in 2004. The two schools signed a new double-degree program in July of 2008. A master's degree student from Kobe University is currently studying at UEA.

The program, “ Multiple Degree Education Program based on Trilateral Collaboration: Japan-Europe & America-Asia International Collaboration in the Fostering of Specialists in Asian Studies“, by the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies was selected to be a part of the government-funded University Education Internationalization Promotion Programs in 2007. The objective is to form a framework of collaborations with world class graduate schools in Europe, North America and Asia at the Master's and the Doctoral Levels.

Dr. NAKAMURA Chiharu, the Vice President/Director in Charge of International Exchange; Mr. ANDO Mikio, the Executive Assistant to the President who studied at UEA; Professor TAKAHASHI Motoki of the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies were on hand to welcome Dr. Lankford. In addition to discussing ways to enhance cooperation in the field of international development, they also discussed the possibilities for cooperating in other academic disciplines.