On May 3, 2016, Ritsumeikan University College of International Relations and Graduate School of International Relations entered into the Agreement of Cooperation with Dagon University in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

The agreement aims to conduct joint research, researcher, faculty and student exchanges, centering on International Relations. This is the first time for Ritsumeikan University to conclude an agreement with a university in Myanmar.

In recent years, Ritsumeikan faculty visited Dagon University to have a close relationship with faculty and students of Department of International Relations at Dagon University and Ritsumeikan University received Myanmar students. In addition, ‘International Development Field Camp for Myanmar and Japan Youth Leaders’ hosted a student conference having students from both universities.

Based on these relationships so far, both universities deepened their consultation and reached this agreement to enhance the partnerships.

Its transition from military dictatorship to the civilian-led administration in 2011 and general election last year brought a huge change to Myanmar having achieved rapid economic development.

Myanmar is one of the highest priority areas for Ritsumeikan University College of International Relations and Graduate School of International Relations, and thus this agreement contributes to the industry-academia-government collaboration as well as has ripple effects on our research and academics.

Ritsumeikan University College of International Relations and Graduate School of International Relations will be open to further partnerships with Southeast Asia including Myanmar.

Dagon University, a national university under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Education, was established in 1993 and it has now a capacity for more than 54,000 students. It is an Arts and Sciences University and situated 20 km north of Yangon City Center. The University consists of 21 departments (liberal arts and sciences disciplines) including Department of International Relations.

Currently, 23,000 students are attending regular classes. In addition, another 32,000 students take lectures conducted at Dagon University Branch, University of Distance Education. 1,067 academic staff members (including 442 staff members with Ph.D.) and 594 administrative staff members are working at Dagon University.