A delegation of Osaka University (OU) led by Executive Vice President for International Affairs (Education), Professor Beverley Anne YAMAMOTO, visited the University of British Columbia (UBC) on 30 January 2024. The primary objective of the visit was to strengthen the existing collaboration between OU and UBC and explore opportunities for further academic partnership and student exchange. Professor YAMAMOTO had a productive meeting with Professor Gage Averill, UBC's Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and Ms. Cheryl Dumaresq, Executive Director, Global Engagement. They discussed avenues for enhancing academic exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and faculty/student mobility between the two institutions. The leaders expressed mutual interest in fostering a deeper understanding of each other's academic strengths and exploring interdisciplinary collaborations.

Professor YAMAMOTO also met with Mr. Sam Saini, UBC's Associate Registrar and Director of the Undergraduate Admissions Office to discuss admission strategies for international students, particularly those studying under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP).

The visit also included a meeting with Dr. Kai Ostwald, Director of UBC's Institute of Asian Research. Both sides explored opportunities for student mobility and discussed ways to leverage the expertise of faculty members from both universities to address contemporary issues in the Asian region.

The visit served as a catalyst for strengthening the academic ties between the two institutions. The engagement with key UBC representatives highlighted the potential for fruitful collaborations and set the stage for a more robust partnership in the years to come.