On Monday, March 2, 2020, Ritsumeikan University opened its sixth overseas office, the Ritsumeikan University Washington, D.C. Office, following its offices in Canada, the UK, India, China, and Vietnam.

Ritsumeikan University was selected as one of the universities in the Top Global University Project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2014, and has been promoting its globalization strategy, the ‘Ritsumeikan Global Initiative,’ in an effort to materialize the concepts upheld by the Project. It regards the opening of overseas offices as one of the foundations for enhancing its international validity and competitiveness, as well as helping to lead the globalization of Japanese society.

The Washington, D.C. Office will function as a base for communicating information on Ritsumeikan University’s education and research to top students and researchers in the US; whilst at the same time promoting collaborative research with other universities, research institutes and think tanks there too.

American University, one of Ritsumeikan University’s most important partner institutions, is located in the same area. Both universities have been engaged in multidisciplinary and multilayered collaboration ever since their partnership agreement was concluded in 1991, including the establishment of joint master’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs, and the exchange of faculty and joint research.

This strong and cooperative relationship over the past 30 years resulted in the establishment of the American University-Ritsumeikan University Joint Degree Program (JDP) in April 2018; with students awarded a joint degree after studying a total of four years in both the College of International Relations (Ritsumeikan University), and the School of International Service (American University). The Washington D.C. Office aims to support Ritsumeikan University home students studying at American University and to deepen educational and research-related exchange with the American University.

Name: Ritsumeikan University Washington, D.C. Office
Address: 1875 K Street NW, Suite 422, Washington, D.C. USA 20006
Opening date: Monday, March 2, 2020 (local time)


Ritsumeikan University’s 34th overseas alumni association branch ‘Ritsumeikan Washington, D.C. Alumni Association’ is launched

Ritsumeikan University’s 34th overseas alumni association branch, ‘Ritsumeikan Washington, D.C. Alumni Association,’ was launched in conjunction with the opening of the Washington, D.C. Office. The Washington, D.C. Office will contribute to strengthening the network of alumni who are active in Washington, D.C. and its environs.

■ Ritsumeikan University Top Global University website
https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/rsgu/#firstPage

■ American University
https://www.american.edu/

■ American University School of International Service
https://www.american.edu/sis/

■ Ritsumeikan University College of International Relations
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/eng/