Courtesy Visit by the University of Alberta
On January 14th, a delegation from the University of Alberta (Canada) paid a courtesy visit to Kumamoto University President Hisao Ogawa. The delegation was led by Dr. Vikas Mehrotra, Dean of the Alberta School of Business, and included Dr. Edy Wong, Vice Dean of the Alberta School of Business, and Ms. Akiko Kosuda, Honorary Advisor to the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Representing Kumamoto University were Executive Vice President Jun Otani, Dean Toshihiro Ihara of the Graduate School of Science and Technology and Dean Keisuke Shiromoto of the School of Informatics.Kumamoto University and the University of Alberta first established an inter-departmental agreement in 1994, which was later upgraded to an inter-university agreement in 2001. The collaboration has focused on an English and cultural short program, as well as individual researcher exchange and collaborative visits. This recent visit, led by Dean Mehrotra on behalf of the University of Alberta’s President, marks the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the two institutions.
During the meeting, President Ogawa expressed a strong commitment to expanding collaboration at the university level, fostering a more comprehensive, multi-faceted, and closer partnership. Dean Mehrotra, as the leader of the Alberta School of Business, stated that this visit represents the first step toward further cooperation, expressing optimism about the future. He also voiced his support for Kumamoto University’s new initiatives aimed at developing new disciplines in the fields of marketing and business. Executive Vice President Otani highlighted the accelerating internationalization efforts in Kumamoto Prefecture, noting that it is highly appreciated that the University of Alberta is eager to support the development of international-minded education, ranging from affiliated elementary schools to graduate programs. A detailed plan for collaborative educational programs will be discussed in the near future.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School, designated as a National Important Cultural Property, to deepen their understanding of the rich history and heritage of Kumamoto University.
During the Meeting
Exchange of Souvenir
Group Photo of All Participants
In Front of University Hall
In Front of the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School