On Wednesday, March 19th, Kansai University Vice President Takao Fujita, IIGE Vice-Director Keiko Ikeda, and staff members from Kansai University's International Division met with Todd Shumway, Director of Global Exchange at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo).

 

The discussion started with reminiscing on the fruitful history of the relationship between UH Hilo and Kansai University, shedding light on the evolution of their partnership over the years. 

 

Furthermore, the meeting delved into a review of the recently concluded student Blended Mobility Program during which 15 students from Kansai University visited UH Hilo after a 2-week COIL with their Hawaiian peers. 

 

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to understanding the nuances of the U.S. university system and how student mobility is organized. Todd Shumway elaborated on the intricacies of navigating agreements, partnerships, and administrative systems in the U.S., providing invaluable guidance for Kansai University's international engagement strategies.

 

Looking ahead, the discussion explored the promising prospects for Japan-U.S. collaborations, emphasizing the importance of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and leveraging opportunities for academic exchange and research collaboration.

 

As Kansai University continues to expand its global reach and deepen its partnerships, such collaborative endeavors pave the way for a brighter future of cross-cultural exchange and academic innovation.