International Exchange

Established in 1997, APRU is an international organization consisting of major universities in the Pacific Rim region. With a current membership of more than 60 universities from 20 countries and regions, the consortium conducts various activities such as distance learning, training of young researchers, and organizing international conferences for doctoral students with the intention of strengthening mutual cooperation and contributing to the social development of Pacific Rim communities.

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Established in 1997, VIU is a consortium between universities from around the world as well as local public and non-governmental organizations. Waseda University joined VIU in 2002.

VIU offers three types of programs: Joint Undergraduate, Graduate, and Research programs. Students from member institutions earn credits at VIU through study abroad, that are transferable to their home institution. In addition, one Waseda faculty member is sent to teach at VIU every semester.

Established in March 2005, APAIE aims to create and provide a place where international educational representatives from universities in the Asia-Pacific region can communicate and exchange information. Waseda University has worked with APAIE in the management of the association from the beginning as a founding member. APAIE undertakes numerous projects as a version of NAFSA and EAIE for the Asian region. APAIE holds an annual general meeting in March featuring international workshops and symposiums as well as booths in which participating universities showcase study abroad programs.

The ASEAN University Network (AUN) is a consortium, established in 1995, of universities in 10 ASEAN member countries. Joined by three additional countries – Japan, China, and South Korea – AUN developed into the AUN Plus Three University Network in 2009. As a member university of the AUN Plus Three University Network, Waseda University participates in the consortium’s conferences and events to contribute to finding solutions to major issues in higher education in the ASEAN region and promote academic exchange among the members.

U21 was established in 1997 as an international network of research-intensive universities. Currently, the network comprises 30 member universities from over 20 countries and regions. With a focus on three areas: “Researcher Engagement”, “Educational Innovation”, and “Student Experience”, Waseda will earnestly promote original research and increase the dissemination of research findings internationally as a U21 member.

The Waseda University Confucius Institute was established in partnership with Peking University on April 12, 2007 as the first “Research-Oriented Confucius Institute.” With the aim of cultivating students’ capability to work as a bridge between China and Japan, the Institute has been engaged in a number of programs along with its core projects to foster young researchers, promote joint research, and publish research papers.

MIRAI began in 2017 as an initiative to activate international joint research between Japan and Sweden. Consisting of 15 Japanese and Swedish research universities, MIRAI seeks to promote bilateral joint research that aims to find solutions to global issues in the important fields of Ageing, Sustainability, Material Sciences, and Innovation. Plans for the MIRAI project were initially formulated during the October 2015 Japan-Sweden University Presidents’ Summit.

The U7+ Alliance of World Universities is a coalition of universities established in 2019 in conjunction with the G7 Summit hosted by France. Waseda University joined the alliance in 2023. Today, the alliance brings together more than 50 universities from countries and regions around the world, with a particular focus on the G7 member states. Its mission is to develop concrete recommendations for the G7 and other international organizations on pressing global challenges and to promote cross-border academic engagement in addressing these issues.

Global Universities for Societal Impact (GUSI) is a strategic alliance of globally engaged universities committed to maximizing their collective impact through purposeful international collaboration. Founded in 2023, GUSI brings together institutions united by a shared vision: to advance excellence in research, education, and innovation while contributing to meaningful societal progress worldwide.

The Korea-Japan Millennium Forum is a symposium organized by four private universities in Korea and Japan: Waseda University, Keio University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. The Forum is held annually, with hosting duties rotating between each of the member universities. In addition provinding a venue for university presidents and researchers to discuss a variety of issues related to higher education, the Forum also features a student presentation session to highlight student voices.