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On September 2, 2024, President Tanaka paid an official visit to the University of Bonn.　During the visit, President Tanaka met with Rector Michael Hoch and Professor Birgit Münch, Vice Rector for International Affairs, to discuss the achievements of the longstanding partnership between the University of Bonn and Waseda University, as well as future prospects. The partnership between the two universities is distinguished by its extensive and rich history, having been one of the earliest partnerships developed between Japanese and German universities, dating back to the signing of an MOU in 1960. In the 2010s, they began the alternating hosting of “Partner University Day,” and in 2017, during the “University of Bonn Day” at Waseda University, a strategic partnership agreement was signed, and Rector Hoch was conferred an honorary doctorate. President Tanaka also participated in the “Waseda University Day” held at the University of Bonn in 2019. Collaboration has also deepened at the departmental level, with exchanges between Waseda University’s Advanced Biomedical Science Center (TWIns) and the University of Bonn’s Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES). Furthermore, a mutual office exchange agreement was signed in 2017 to promote researcher exchanges, and this agreement was renewed during the visit. President Tanaka and Rector Hoch reflected on the successes of their partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and expand their collaboration moving forward.

President Tanaka and Rector Michael Hoch

President Tanaka, Rector Michael Hoch, Prof. Birgit MÜNCH, Vice Rector for International Affairs

President Tanaka also shared insights into the reforms undertaken at Waseda University since his inauguration, emphasizing that the University of Bonn serves as an important benchmark for Waseda’s own transformational initiatives. The University of Bonn, having been selected for the German government’s “University of Excellence” initiative, has made significant strides in recent years under Rector Hoch’s leadership, steadily enhancing its global reputation as a research university.

President Tanaka met with several key figures from the university’s education and research divisions, as well as various faculties, including Professor Ilona Grunwald (Vice Rector for Research and Early-Career Scientists), Dr. Holger Impekoven (Vice Provost), Professor Stephan Conermann (Dean, Faculty of Arts), Professor Heiko Sauer (Vice Dean, Faculty of Law and Economics), Professor Frank Bertoldi (Vice Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), Dr. Ines Heuer (Strategic Development and Quality Assurance), Dr. Barbara Sheldon (Director of Research and Innovation Services), and Dr. Robert Meyer (Head of Section, Appointment Management and Onboarding). Through these discussions, President Tanaka gained valuable insights into the University of Bonn’s advanced initiatives, including its Transdisciplinary Research Areas.

The two universities have cultivated a rich history of collaboration, and this visit reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthen the partnership and advance reforms and development through mutual cooperation.

Prof. Heiko SAUER,Vice Dean, Faculty of Law and Economic, Prof. Stephan CONERMANN,Dean Faculty of Arts, Birgit MÜNCH, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Max PATZEK,,Advisor to Vice Rector for International Affairs and President Tanaka

Dr. Holger Impekoven, Vice Provost and President Tanaka

Prof. Ilona GRUNWALD,Vice Rector for Research and Early-Career Researchers, Ines Heuer,Head of unit for strategic Development and Quality Assurance and President Tanaka

Dr.Robert MEYER, Head of Section Appointment Management and Onboarding, Barbara SHELDON, Director Research and Innovation Services, Frank BERTOLDI, Vice Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Birgit MÜNCH, Vice Rector for International Affairs and President Tanaka