Delegation from the University of Kent visited Kobe University

On October 26, Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow (Vice-Chancellor) from the University of Kent visited Kobe University. From the University of Kent, Dr. Anthony Manning (Dean for Internationalisation), Professor Roger Vickerman (Dean for Europe) and Ms. Hannah McNorton (Director, International Partnerships) accompanied Professor Goodfellow.

The delegation first paid a courtesy visit to Professor TAKEDA Hiroshi (President). The attendees of the meeting included Professor YUI Kiyomitsu (Executive Advisor to the President in Charge of International Collaboration), Professor YOSHIDA Ken-ichi (Professor, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation; Director, Kobe University Brussels European Centre), Professor SEKINE Yuki (Professor, Graduate School of Law), and Dr. TAKAGI Hiroyuki (Project Associate Professor, Program Coordination Section, Center for International Education). In the meeting, following Professor TAKEDA’s welcome, Professor Goodfellow introduced the status quo of internationalization at the University of Kent, after which both sides actively exchanged views on wide-ranging topics including the cooperation between the Kobe University Brussels European Centre and the University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies, and various issues in education and research which British universities face upon Brexit.

After the courtesy visit, the delegation had a meeting with faculty members associated with the Faculty of Global Human Sciences (to be established in April 2017). Attendees from Kobe University included Professor OKADA Akihiro (Professor, Graduate School of Human Development and Environment; Head, Faculty of Global Human Sciences Planning Office), Professor NISHITANI Takuya (Professor, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies), Professor SAKAI Kazunari (Professor, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies; Director, Program Coordination Section, Center for International Education) and Dr. OCHIAI Tomoko (GSP Coordinator, Faculty of Global Human Sciences Planning Office). In the meeting the Kobe University representatives introduced the Faculty of Global Human Sciences including its Global Studies Program (GSP) and in turn the University of Kent representatives introduced its summer school programs. Both sides confirmed their intention to foster cooperation in developing short-term study programs.

Kobe University concluded a Memorandum of Understanding and Student Exchange Agreement with the University of Kent on February 25, 2016, with student exchange to start in fall 2017. The two universities will also be working on arranging educational and research exchanges using their facilities in Brussels.

(International Affairs Planning Division)