Signing Ceremony of Inter-University Academic Exchange Agreement and Student Exchange Agreement between Kobe University and Leiden University Held

President FUKUDA Hideki paid a courtesy visit to Professor C.J.J.M.Stolker, Rector Magnificus and President of Leiden University of theNetherlands, on October 15.

Established in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest and best university in the Netherlands. In 2009, Kobe University and Leiden Universityreached both an inter-university academic exchange agreement and a student exchange agreement, and a renewal signing ceremony was heldduring the October visit. Kobe University officials attending the ceremony included Professor TAKEDA Hiroshi, Executive Vice President incharge of Research, Professor INOUE Noriyuki, Executive Vice President in charge of International Exchange, Professor KUBO Hiromasa, SpecialAdviser to the President, and Professor YUI Kiyomitsu, Executive Director of the Centre for EU Studies.

Between the two universities, university-wide student exchange has been underway since 2009, and Kobe University is a popular study abroaddestination for Leiden University students. Taking this opportunity, Leiden officials expressed their intention of sending more students tostudy at Kobe University. Both presidents also agreed to promote research collaboration in core research areas.

(International Affairs Planning Division)