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Waseda University held the FY2025 Second Strategic Policy Meeting on October 9, 2025.

Waseda University engages in various activities for promoting international intellectual exchange as well as the further internationalization of its education and research systems centered on the three pillars of the 150th Anniversary Project: “Global Research”, “Global Education”, and “Global Citizenship”. The Strategic Policy Committee Meetings were established as a forum for inviting external experts to advise on the strengthening of Waseda’s international competitiveness in support of these initiatives.

For the Second Strategic Policy Strategy Meeting, Waseda University invited Professor Peter Salovey, Former President, Yale University; Professor Gil Latz, Former Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs, Ohio State University; Glen S. Fukushima, Vice Chair, Securities Investor Protection Corporation; Professor Michael Hoch, Rector, University of Bonn; Akiko Nakajo, Independent Outside Director, SoftBank Corporation; Makiko Eda, Managing Executive Officer, Chief Sustainability/DE&I/Administrative/Compliance Officer, Sumitomo Corporation; and Keiko Tashiro, Deputy President, Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

In the morning session, after discussing Waseda University’s research strategy with President Aiji Tanaka and the related executives, the visiting advisors received briefings primarily on entrepreneurship promotion from representatives of the venture capital firm Waseda University Ventures and associated faculty members, followed by a lively question-and-answer session.

During the afternoon session, the advisors toured Nishi-Waseda Campus facilities, such as the Innovation Lab, as well as the state-of-the-art research facilities in Buildings 120 and 121 on Waseda Campus, where they discussed the research environment and researcher development with faculty and students. Then, they took part in discussion with students at Global Citizenship Center (GCC) Common Room regarding the current status and issues of the education system.

　　　　　　　　　　                                   Touring Waseda’s research facilities

　　　　　　　　　　　        Taking part in discussion with Waseda students at the GCC

Continuing with the program, a wrap-up discussion was held in which the visiting advisors provided valuable feedback on all aspects of the program, including the meetings, tours, and discussions with students, based on their extensive experience and expertise in their respective fields. The discussion covered a variety of topics vital to promoting international intellectual exchange, including the strengthening of entrepreneurship and startup support systems, governance and financial foundations, enhancing researcher development and research support systems, attracting outstanding researchers from overseas, promoting study abroad programs, and expanding support for international collaborative research.

Finally, following a full day of productive discussions, the committee meeting concluded in a relaxed atmosphere at a gathering with university representatives.