Top Global University Project: Waseda Goes Global - A Plan to Build a Worldwide Academic Network That Is Open, Dynamic and DiverseWaseda University

On Sunday, October 8, 2023, the Waseda University Top Global University Project(TGU) Health Promotion: The Joy of Sports and Exercise Unit  held a symposium entitled “Play Sports, Stay Healthy, and Enjoy Aging Society – Our Global Collaborations, Achievements And Beyond” to commemorate the final year of the TGU project and to present the achievements of the past 10 years.

Following a keynote speech reviewing the 10 years of TGU projects at the Health Promotion: The Joy of Sports and Exercise Unit, six guest speakers invited from Loughborough University, German Sport University Cologne, University of Birmingham, University of Oregon, University of Florida, and Griffith University, along with two Waseda alumni and one current graduate student from the Faculty of Sport Sciences spoke. More than 100 people attended in person, and including Zoom webinar participants the total number of attendees was 190.

 

The symposium began with opening remarks by Professor Masahiko Gemma, Vice President of Waseda University, followed by greetings from Professor Hirotaka Matsuoka Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences.

 

In the morning session, Professor Hiroaki Masaki, Vice Dean (International Affairs) and leader of the unit, first gave a report on the review of TGU projects over the past 10 years. He reviewed the establishment of the master’s and doctoral degree programs offered in English, collaboration with overseas partner universities, and educational activities by visiting faculty members. Video interviews with students enrolled in the degree programs offered in English were also used to showcase project achievements.

 

Afterwards, two professors who had been invited from overseas to give lectures under the TGU project provided reports on their educational and joint projects at Waseda University.

 

Professor David Stensel, Loughborough University, Exercise Metabolism

“Teaching and collaborative projects at Waseda University”

First, Professor Stensel of Loughborough University recapped his lectures at Waseda University and then introduced some of the students he worked with to provide research guidance. He taught the course “Exercise Metabolism” at Waseda  in the academic years 2022 and 2023, and also supervised a student from the Graduate School of Sport Sciences who studied abroad at Loughborough University.

 

Professor Sebastian Uhrich, German Sport University Cologne, Sport Economics and Sport Management

“Teaching and collaborative projects at Waseda University”

Next, Professor Uhrich from the German Sport University Cologne gave a speech and shared his experience working as an educator at Waseda. He has previously worked as a visiting faculty member of the Faculty of Sport Sciences in 2018 and 2021, and joins us again in 2023 teaching a course in English. Since the signing of departmental agreements in 2018 Waseda University has had active student exchanges in both directions with German Sport University Cologne. Professor Uhrich was also in charge of supervising these exchange students.

 

With a view to the future overseas expansion of the unit, the afternoon program invited four guest speakers who are active in various fields of sport science to give lectures on the latest educational research in their respective fields.

 

Professor Christopher Ring, University of Birmingham, Sport Psychology

“The benefits of adding cognitive training to physical training – Brain Endurance Training (BET) – for sport and exercise”

Waseda University has a university-wide agreement with the University of Birmingham, and has a long term relationship in varies field such as Shakespeare studies and drama performance. The Faculty of Sport Sciences is discussing with the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, where Professor Ring hails from, about the prospect of future academic exchange and collaboration in order to establish a new cooperative relationship in the field of sports with the University of Birmingham.

Professor Ring gave us an overview of his own research field and the University of Birmingham’s initiatives in the field of sports science.

 

Professor Bettina Cornwell, University of Oregon, Marketing

“Research in Sponsorship – Linked Marketing”

Professor Bettina Cornwell is the head of the Warsaw Sports Business Center at the University of Oregon where she researches marketing communications and consumer behavior. The University of Oregon, known as one of the largest state universities, actively produces top-level student athletes and researchers and has also launched a global network called “GSUN” with Loughborough University. She is one of the key figures in this new initiative.

She gave a presentation on her research and the future plans of GSUN.

 

Professor George Cunningham, University of Florida, Sport Management

“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Sport: Opportunities around the World”

The Faculty of Sport Sciences has a long-term academic collaboration with the Department of Sport Managementat the University of Florida. Much collaborative research has been conducted and many Japanese researchers have studied at the department. Waseda University already has a university-wide agreement with the University of Florida, which has produced active student exchanges, and both departments are considering new, closer collaboration project at the department level.

Professor Cunningham gave a speech about his current research and various projects.

 

Associate Professor Kevin Filo, Griffith University, Sports Sponsorship

“Allowing Values to Drive Research: A Snapshot of Impactful Sport Management Research at Griffith Management Research”

Associate Professor Filo, who is affiliated with the Griffith Business School at Griffith University, has been collaborating with the TGU project since 2018 and has also taught courses in 2018, 2020, and 2022 as a visiting faculty member. The Faculty of Sport Sciences is considering signing a departmental agreement with the Griffith Business School.

Professor Filo introduced his latest educational and research activities and gave a speech about the initiatives of the Griffith Business School.

 

The afternoon program concluded with two alumni and one current graduate student from the Faculty of Sport Sciences taking the stage to give speeches about their studies and activities through the TGU project.

 

Dr. Chihiro Nagayama, Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd., Clinical Research Department (Alumnus)

“Research in Super Global University (SGU) Programme”

 

Dr. Hiroto Shiotani, Waseda University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Lecturer (Alumnus)

“Research in the Doctoral Program in Waseda Univ.”

 

Mr. You Li, Waseda University, Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Graduate Student

“From Improving Physiques to Transforming Lives? – A Recap of my doctoral study examining the developmental impacts of sport (TIYU) in Multi-Ethnic China”

 

After the closing remarks by Professor Naoyuki Hayashi, a member of the unit, the symposium concluded in a friendly atmosphere with the presentation of commemorative gifts to the six guest speakers and a commemorative photo session with the speakers and participants.

 

The symposium also featured a poster session by students during the lunch break and after the symposium. A total of 32 students exhibited their posters, which were divided by field of study. After selection by the guest speakers and professors of the Faculty of Sport Sciences, the top three students were awarded the Poster Prize.

◆Poster Award Gold Prize Ms. Kanon Shibata, 3rd year student, School of Sport Sciences

◆Poster Award Silver Prize Mr. Yoshiki Yamada, 2nd year Master’s student, Graduate School of Sport Sciences

◆Poster Award Bronze Prize Mr. Sekino Vitor Sekino, 1st year Master’s student, Graduate School of Sport Sciences

 

Related Article: Commemorative Symposium： Play Sports, Stay Healthy, and Enjoy Aging Society – Our Global Collaborations, Achievements And Beyond – Top Global University Project: Waseda Goes Global