On Thursday, May 11, Professor Jan Hare, Dean Pro Term of the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, visited Ritsumeikan and met with President Yoshio Nakatani. Associate Professor Reginald D' Silva, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education, was also in attendance. In attendance from Ritsumeikan University were Executive Trustee Naruya Kida, Associate Dean of International Affairs Yuka Anzako, and UBC exchange program coordinator Associate Professor Saori Hagai.

UBC and Ritsumeikan have offered a long-term exchange program since 1991, and this program is currently under the jurisdiction of the Faculty of Education. In August 2023, Ritsumeikan is scheduled to send 64 students, the 33rd cohort of this program, to study for eight months at UBC.

During the discussion, the participants reflected on the long history of exchange between the two universities, reaffirmed the bonds that have been fostered between many faculty and staff members and students, and exchanged opinions on how to further strengthen cooperation between UBC and Ritsumeikan going forward on this program as well as other initiatives.

Ritsumeikan will continue pursuing efforts to globalize its education and research by further strengthening its ties with UBC, in addition to operating the exchange program.