Kumamoto University Joins ProSPER.Net
Kumamoto University has joined ProSPER.Net (Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network) with the aim of further enhancing and developing its research and education.ProSPER.Net is an alliance of leading universities in the Asia-Pacific region hosted by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, aiming to integrate sustainable development into postgraduate courses and curricula. ProSPER.Net is dedicated to developing a new generation of leaders who can tackle global challenges arising from rapid environmental changes and human development. As of October 2022, 55 higher education institutions in the Asia-Pacific region are members.
In August 2021, Kumamoto University publicly declared its “Kumamoto University SDGs Declaration,” committing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The declaration emphasizes that all students and faculty should consider both local and global issues as their own and work together as “One Team” to tackle these challenges. To further this initiative, the university applied for membership in ProSPER.Net in May 2023, which was officially approved at the ProSPER.Net General Assembly held on October 25.
During the assembly, Mr. KAKUTA Kenji, Executive Director of the International Affairs Department, represented the university and expressed gratitude for the membership approval and aspirations for the membership on behalf of President OGAWA Hisao.
This new membership is expected to facilitate the establishment of new networks with leading universities both domestically and internationally, promoting educational and research exchanges through international symposiums and collaborative research projects, thereby accelerating Kumamoto University’s efforts toward achieving SDGs.
New member universities introduced at the ProSPER.Net General Assembly
Presentation by Mr. Kakuta, Executive Director of International Affairs Department