Kobe University

The 4th Kobe University Brussels European Centre Symposium titled Globalisation of Higher Education from the Perspective of EU-Japan Collaboration was held

April 4, 2014

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On March 10, Kobe University hosted the 4th Kobe University Brussels European Centre (KUBEC) Symposium titled Globalisation of Higher Education from the Perspective of EU-Japan Collaboration . The Symposium, co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, was held at the EESC in Brussels, Belgium.

Kobe University has been strengthening cooperation with the EU since the foundation of the EU Institute in Japan, Kansai (EUIJ-Kansai), a consortium of Kobe University, Kwansei Gakuin University, and Osaka University, funded by the EU in 2005. Currently, approximately 40 percent of international research projects undertaken at Kobe University are conducted in collaboration with European partners. As a coordinating university of EUIJ-Kansai, Kobe University has been striving to raise public interest in the EU by organizing various programmes and events. In 2010 Kobe University launched the Kobe University Brussels European Centre, the first representative office of a Japanese university in Brussels, capital city of the EU. In 2013 the Centre for EU-Japan Collaborative Education (EJCE) was established with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary education based on collaboration between universities in Japan and the EU. With such activities being highly valued, H. E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, H. E. Dr. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and other prominent guests from the EU have taken the time to visit Kobe University.

The Symposium was held the day before the 3rd anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In the opening address, H. E. Mr. SHIOJIRI Kojiro, Ambassador of Japan to the European Union, underlined his commitment to building a stronger society against natural disasters. He also expressed his expectation for further collaboration in higher education between Japan and the EU. Recent success stories in this area include the agreement between the Japanese Government and the EU in science and technology collaboration in 2011 as well as the start of negotiations between Japan and the EU in economic collaboration. Professor UCHIDA Kazunori, Executive Vice President in charge of Industry-University Cooperation and Public Relations, outlined the University's strategy to strengthen ties with the EU, and expressed his firm intention to further enhance academic exchange between Japan and the EU through the organizing of events, including symposia and workshops.

Part I was held under the theme of Policy on the Globalisation of Higher Education Istitutions (HEIs) in Japan and the EU. Members from The Mission of Japan to the European Union, the European Commission, and EESC presented the current state of challenges faced by Japan and the EU. The theme for part II was Collaborative Programmes and Industry Perspective. The members of EESC, researchers from Kobe University, Tohoku University and the University of Liege, gave presentations on educational collaborative programmes between Japan and the EU. In part III, in addition to a member of EESC, a researcher, business professionals and a student intern from companies in the EU and at EESC, reported case studies of the exchange programmes between Japan and the EU. It was followed by an open discussion session.

The Symposium has reinforced that a change in policy to one of cooperation between Japan and the EU is necessary for both nations to remain competitive in our global society. It also introduced international collaborative activities between Japan and the EU such as the Double Degree Programme. A lively Q&A session also took place during the Symposium.

Ms. Jane Morrice, Vice President for EESC, delivered the closing remarks. She referred to the Haiku, the Japanese style of poetry, written by H. E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council: although we live in different places, we live under the same sky, and the fact that we are working together to overcome challenges that have arisen from globalisation makes our relationship significant. She stated that this Symposium has contributed to further advancement in higher education collaborative activities between Japan and the EU. She also appealed for the need to make unceasing efforts with respect to economic growth for both nations and to further accelerate collaborative activities between Japan and the EU.

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(International Affairs Planning Division)