On Tuesday, June 27, Professor Michael Wesley, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) of the University of Melbourne, visited Ritsumeikan University’s Suzaku Campus to hold a discussion with Vice President Yoko Matsubara and Executive Trustee Norihisa Yamashita. Professor Alex Johnson, Associate Dean, International, Faculty of Science, and Ms. Carol Cheng, International Visits and Engagement Officer, were also in attendance from the University of Melbourne, and Professor Sachio Nakato, the Dean of International Affairs at Ritsumeikan University, moderated the session.

During the discussion, both universities introduced their international strategies, and opinions were exchanged on the potential for strengthening cooperation going forward. “Advancing Melbourne,” the University of Melbourne’s strategy for the year 2030 calls for the deepening of exchange with universities in the Asia Pacific region, and the delegation from Melbourne touched on the possibility of expanding exchange with Ritsumeikan. Meanwhile, the members from Ritsumeikan explained the initiatives they have undertaken to date as part of the Top Global University Project as well as the R2030 Challenge Design.

The University of Melbourne is one of the Group of Eight leading universities in Australia, and ever since it concluded an agreement of cooperation with Ritsumeikan in March 1990, it has actively dispatched and accepted students on exchange programs and short-term programs. Vice President Matsubara concluded the discussion by thanking the University of Melbourne for its student exchange efforts and expressing her desire to continue the cooperative relationship.