On March 23rd, a delegation led by Rector Magnificus Hester Bijl of Leiden University paid a visit to President FUJISAWA Masato.

Their meeting was also attended by the following people: Ivo Smits (Professor of Arts and Cultures of Japan, Leiden University), Kobe University’s Executive Vice President NAKAMURA Tamotsu (Director of the Institute for Promoting International Partnerships), YOSHIDA Ken-ichi (Executive Director of the Europe & Africa Division/Professor of the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation), MIZUHATA Minoru (Member of the Europe & Africa Division/Professor of the Graduate School of Engineering), HANADA Eva (Associate Professor of the Institute for Promoting International Partnerships) and IMURA Takashi (Director of the International Department).

President Fujisawa gave a welcoming address and an overview of Kobe University. Rector Magnificus Bijl then introduced Leiden University and its previous relationship with Japan. Afterwards, they shared information about this year’s student exchange between the two universities, and confirmed that they will continue to actively promote such exchanges in the future.

Established in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in Netherlands with a long history of relations with Japan dating back to the 17th century. Leiden University and Kobe University concluded a Memorandum of Understanding in 2009 and have been actively conducting academic exchanges since then.

It is hoped that this visit will result in further exchange between the two universities in the future.

(International Affairs Planning Division)