On Monday, March 3, United Nations University and Ritsumeikan University concluded a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting academic and cultural exchange, including collaboration in research and education, for a period of five years from March 3, 2025, to March 3, 2030. United Nations University Rector Tshilidzi Marwala and Project Manager Nicolas du Bois attended the signing ceremony at Kinugasa Campus along with President Yoshio Nakatani, Associate Dean of Research Katsuyuki Hidaka, Dean of International Relations Tomoaki Nishimura, and Professor Tadamichi Yamamoto from Ritsumeikan University.

United Nations University is global think tank and postgraduate educational institution that was established by the United Nations General Assembly. It comprehensively engages in initiatives on a range of topics with a primary focus on human security, sustainable development, and global issues. To contribute to achieving the mission of the United Nations, the university conducts research and provides education on peace-building, sustainability, and the eradication of poverty in cooperation with UN Member States and academic institutions.

In November 2023, Prof. Marwala delivered a lecture entitled “International Relations and AI” at Kinugasa Campus. Before the lecture, he met with President Nakatani, and they exchanged opinions on research exchange and developing a cooperative relationship. Those discussions led to the conclusion of this cooperation agreement.
Going forward, the two universities aim to pursue exchange in joint workshops, programs, and other events in the fields of international relations and the SDGs, and this is expected to further promote the mutual advancement of education and research.

Comment from Rector Marwala

Last year, UNU launched a new organizational strategy, which focuses on three pillars: knowledge, partnerships and impact. UNU is a global think tank and educational institution, and our priority is generating knowledge that will positively impact and transform the world. However, we cannot do this alone. If we are to succeed in achieving our goals, we need strong, reliable partners. I am therefore pleased that UNU is forming a partnership with Ritsumeikan University, a visionary institution that embodies academic excellence.

Comment from President Yoshio Nakatani

Ritsumeikan University has concluded a cooperation agreement with the United Nations University. We are honored to have laid the foundation for deepening our collaboration with this world-class research university. Under Ritsumeikan’s R2030 Vision, as a “Next-Generation Research University” that will lead the transformation of future society, we are promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated research, fusing knowledge beyond the frameworks of conventional academic fields, and engaging in the creation of new symbiotic social value. With this agreement, we will further promote collaborative research and human resource cultivation related to global issues such as SDGs and peacebuilding by leveraging our respective strengths in cooperation with United Nations University.