On August 21, the 2025 CAMPUS Asia Plus Annual Symposium in Laos was held at the National University of Laos, co-hosted by Kobe University and the National University of Laos. From the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Dean Yuichiro Uchida, Professor Keiichi Ogawa, Professor Mika Hayashi, and other faculty members participated, while from the Graduate School of Health Sciences, Professors Masanori Kameoka and Chieko Greiner participated. From the partner institutions, President Dexanourath Seneduangdeth and Vice President Phouphet Kyophilavong of the National University of Laos attended, along with other faculty members. In addition, Ms. Silinthone Sacklokham, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, and Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning, Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, also participated.
The CAMPUS Asia Plus Program is a project adopted under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Inter-University Exchange Project”, and aims to foster globally active risk management specialists through interdisciplinary co-creative education. The program began in 2011 under a trilateral framework among Kobe University, Korea University, and Fudan University, and since 2021 has expanded to include collaboration with ASEAN countries. At present, it operates as a consortium consisting of the three universities in Japan, China, and Korea, along with the National University of Laos and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, promoting mutual exchange.
At the symposium, Professor Emeritus Toshihisa Toyoda of the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies delivered the keynote lecture. He emphasized strengthening risk management systems that address both pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster recovery in response to climate change and compound disasters, which are increasing risks in East Asia. He also highlighted the importance of deepening international cooperation among China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN countries. Furthermore, in recognition of his long-standing contributions to the establishment of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management at the National University of Laos, Professor Emeritus Toyoda was conferred an Honorary Professorship by President Desanourath during the symposium.
In the student session, graduate students from partner universities in Japan, China, Korea, Laos, and Thailand presented their research findings. Faculty members from the partner institutions provided comments and advice from diverse disciplinary perspectives, fostering active discussion and exchange across different academic backgrounds in an interdisciplinary, co-creative manner.
Through this symposium, the achievements of the Campus Asia Plus Program over the past five years, particularly its solid record in cultivating internationally competent risk management specialists, were reaffirmed, while collaboration among partner universities was further strengthened. Moreover, a common understanding and shared direction for cooperation toward the next phase were established, raising expectations for the continued development of the program.
（CAMPUS Asia Office）