On July 10, a total of 22 students affiliated with the Kobe University CAMPUS Asia Plus Program paid a courtesy visit to Executive Vice President TAMAKI Hisashi, director of the Office for Promoting International Cooperation. The group included four Kobe University students scheduled to participate in double degree programs at Korea University and Fudan University, 17 Kobe University students scheduled to join a short-term study program at the National University of Laos (including an internship at the Ministry of Education and Sports), and one double degree student from Fudan University who has been studying at Kobe University since October 2025.
From the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Professor HAYASHI Mika (Director of the Executive Committee), Professor OGAWA Keiichi (Deputy Director of the Executive Committee), Assistant Professor MAISAWA Tatsuya (Program Coordinator), Project Assistant Professor YAGI Ayumu and staff member Ms. MINAMIDE Asum attended.
Each student introduced themselves in English and shared their expectations for developing their research skills through this overseas opportunity. Professor Tamaki then offered words of encouragement to the students, who continue to actively participate in the program even after the end of the funded project period. He also encouraged them to take initiative in their activities to make the most of their experiences abroad.
Associate Professor Vadsana Chanthanasinh, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management at the National University of Laos, one of the program’s partner universities, also joined the courtesy visit during her visit to Japan. Associate Professor Chanthanasinh expressed her appreciation for Kobe University’s longstanding cooperation in the development of the National University of Laos and shared her expectations for the further expansion of academic exchange between the two universities. She also warmly welcomed the students who will participate in the short-term study program. During the meeting, Professor Tamaki and Associate Professor Chanthanasinh exchanged commemorative gifts, further symbolizing the continued development of collaboration between the two universities.
The CAMPUS Asia Program has been a university-wide program for the last fifteen years, and is currently making arrangements for its next phase. During this transition period, the program continues to operate on a self-sustaining basis. Kobe University will also host double degree and exchange students from Korea University and Fudan University, as well as exchange students from the National University of Laos. In this way, mutual exchange among the partner universities is expected to continue.
Related Link: CAMPUS Asia Plus Program
(CAMPUS Asia Office)