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Japan-Belgium Academic Roundtable

Marking the 150th anniversary of bi-national relations, the Japan-Belgium Academic Roundtable was held on October 11 at Waseda University.

University presidents from 36 Japanese and Belgian institutions gathered for the roundtable. At the opening ceremony, Waseda President Kaoru Kamata welcomed the guests, followed by a lecture by Office for International Planning Director Hideki Iwabuchi from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. The participants were then divided into groups to discuss three topics: globalization of higher education, industry-academia collaborations, and joint-degree doctoral programs. After a luncheon meeting, each group presented the conclusions of their discussions in front of the full group, which was joined by Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.

Looking back in history, this roundtable was perhaps the first of its kind to be held between Belgian and Japanese university presidents. Both Belgian and Japanese universities look forward to further globalization, and this roundtable has contributed to forging stronger academic ties.

Participating institutions

From Japan

Fukuoka University, Hitotsubashi University, Hokkaido University, Kanazawa University, Kansai University, Keio University, Kobe University, Kyushu University, Nagoya University, Osaka University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo University of the Arts, University of Miyazaki, University of Tsukuba, Waseda University, Japan Student Services Organization, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology

From Belgium

ARES, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK-CEN), Ecole nationale supérieure des arts visuels de La Cambre, Flemish Higher Education Council (VLUHR), FNRS, Ghent University, Haute Ecole Léonard de Vinci, Howest, de Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen, ICHEC Brussels Management School, KU Leuven, KU Leuven Association, Université catholique de Louvain(UCL), Université de Liège (ULg), Université de Mons (UMons), Université de Namur (UNamur), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Agreement between ULB and Waseda

Demonstrating the University’s expanding relationship with Belgium, Waseda University signed an agreement with the Free University of Brussels at the New Otani Hotel on October 12. The signing ceremony was attended by the King of the Belgians, Philippe Léopold Louis Marie.

His Majesty King Philippe (C)