Kobe University

Opening of the Kobe University and Beijing Foreign Studies University International Collaborative Research Base

April 6, 2016

On 1 April, Kobe University, in cooperation with Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), opened the Kobe University and Beijing Foreign Studies University International Collaborative Research Base. In accordance with the Agreement of Academic Cooperation between the two universities concluded on 3 November 2008, this Base was opened with the objective of further fostering academic exchanges and cooperation between the two institutions.

An unveiling ceremony was held with the attendance of Professor INOUE Noriyuki (Vice-President in Charge of International Exchange), Professor OGATA Yasushi (Director of the Centre for Asian Studies), Professor HUANG Lin (Vice-Director of the Centre for Asian Studies), and Professor Xu Yiping (Director of Beijing Center for Japanese Studies, BFSU). In the ceremony, Professor INOUE expressed his gratitude for BFSU’s cooperation in opening this Base and also his intention to use the Base for disseminating information and providing opportunities for research and educational exchanges with Chinese universities.

Ever since the conclusion of an inter-university Agreement of Academic Cooperation, Kobe University and BFSU have been expanding their exchange activities in research and education. In May 2010, BFSU’s Beijing Center for Japanese Studies concluded an Agreement on the implementation of joint master’s programs with Kobe University’s Graduate School of Economics and in September 2014 it also concluded an Agreement on the Implementation of double degree master’s programs with Kobe University’s Graduate School of Humanities. In addition, a Symposium commemorating the opening of the International Collaborative Research Base at BFSU was held in July 2015.

With the opening of the new Base, Kobe University aims to further foster the expansion of exchanges in research and education between the two universities and the two countries at large.

(International Affairs Planning Division)