From January 23 to 26, the “One Kobe Family” Global Fair 2025 was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event included Study in Japan Fair 2025 (Malaysia) organized by JASSO, an alum gathering and visits to University of Malaya (UM), the Ambang Asuhan Jepun (AAJ, Special Preparatory Program to Enter Japanese Universities) at UM, Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM), University of Tsukuba, Malaysia (UTMy), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Malaysia Office and Pusat Bahasa Teikyo (PBT). It aimed to strengthen partnerships with Asian universities, expand study-abroad opportunities for both international and Kobe University students and enhance connections with overseas alums ― including former international and Japanese students ― to further develop the university’s global alum network.

The delegation was led by KONDO Narihiko, executive assistant to the president and vice director of the Institute for Promoting International Partnerships, accompanied by OHMIDO Nobuko, professor at the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment and a member of the Asia & Oceania Division, Institute for Promoting International Partnerships; TAKAHIRA Hibiki, project assistant professor of Center for Next Generation; and YU Wenhsin, project assistant professor of Global Education Center. Staff from the Global Engagement Division, the Alumni Affairs and Endowments Division and the International Exchange Division also participated.

On January 23, the delegation visited to UM and AAJ.
At UM, a seminar introducing Kobe University was held at the Faculty of Science. At the seminar, Professor Kondo presented an overview of Kobe University, followed by a lecture entitled “Mysteries of Plant Chromosomes: Genome Structure, Evolution, and Diversity” by Professor Ohmido, and a lecture entitled “Gustatory System and Food Function in Metabolic Regulation” by Assistant Professor AIHARA Yoshiko of the Graduate School of Agriculture. Faculty members and students from UM attended the seminar, and an active question-and-answer session followed the lectures.

In addition, Professor Kondo paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, associate deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) of UM. Together with Dr. Geok Yuan Annie Tan, deputy dean (Research and Innovation) of the Faculty of Science; Dr. Zuliana Razali, director of the International Relations Centre; and Ms. Rafiza Hashim, director of the Global Mobility Centre, they exchanged views on strengthening collaboration, with a focus on concluding an academic exchange agreement and student exchange agreement.

At AAJ, the delegation visited Mr. KURIOKA Seishi, leader of Japanese teachers and Mr. UNTEN Osamu, Japanese subject teacher. During the visit, Professor Ohmido expressed her gratitude for their continued contributions to Japanese language education and for consistently sending outstanding students to Kobe University, and exchanged views on future forms of cooperation.

At the Study in Japan Fair 2025 held at the Amari Kuala Lumpur Hotel on January 24–25, Kobe University staff members, with support by former students, introduced the university to local students considering study abroad in Japan. 1,015 participants were in attendance over the course of the two-day event, with 112 visiting the Kobe University booth. The staff answered questions from prospective students and provided information on academic programs, scholarships and daily life in Kobe.

On January 24, Professor Kondo and Assistant Professor Takahira met with Dr. Gary Tang Kok Lian, chairman of JAGAM; Dr. Lau Wee Yeap, vice chairman of JAGAM; and Ms. Jacqueline Tan, operations manager, to exchange views on strengthening collaboration.

On January 24, 30 Kobe University alums from various years and industries gathered for an alum event. They shared updates on their lives after graduation and exchanged contact information, thereby strengthening their ties with the university and fellow graduates.

On January 26, the delegation visited UM, UTMy, JICA Malaysia Office and PBT.
At the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science of UM, the delegation visited Dr. Zulkarnain Bin Jaafar, dean of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science; Dr. Mohd Firdaus Bin Abdullah, deputy dean of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science; and Dr. Khong Teng Keen, senior lecturer of the Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, to discuss strengthening cooperation in their respective fields of expertise. 

At UTMy, the delegation visited Dr. TSUJIMURA Maki, dean of the School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design; and Mr. YOKOSE Masatoshi, head of the Academic Service Office for Malaysia Overseas Education Hub. Dr. Tsujimura introduced its initiatives and educational programs at its Malaysia campus, followed by an exchange of views on the overseas expansion of national universities.

At JICA Malaysia Office, the delegation visited Ms. SUGAWARA Minako, chief representative; and Ms. OKADA Miku, senior representative. Ms. Sugawara introduced its business development in Malaysia, which was followed by discussions on potential areas of collaboration with Kobe University in the field of international cooperation.

Finally, the delegation visited Mr. SAKAI Atsushi, managing director of Teikyo（Malaysia） SDN BHD; Mr. SUMITANI Kenishi, principal of PBT; and Mr. SATO Daigo, vice principal. During the visit, Professor Kondo expressed his appreciation for their continued efforts in Japanese language education and for their ongoing support in sending excellent students to Kobe University, and exchanged views on future directions for cooperation.

Building on the outcomes of the “One Kobe Family” Global Fair 2025 Kuala Lumpur, Kobe University will continue fostering exchange and collaboration between the two countries in education, research and community engagement.

(Global Engagement Division)