From left to right: Prof. KUBO (Graduate School of Science), Prof. NOMACHI (Director of European Center for Academic Initiatives), Executive Vice President TANAKA, Executive Vice President YAMAMOTO, President NISHIO, President Deneken, Director Forté, and Chairman NAKATANI

On 28 April 2023, representatives from the University of Strasbourg, including President Michel Deneken, visited Osaka University to have discussions with President Shojiro NISHIO. The two universities have been in a partnership since 2006 and this visit was the University of Strasbourg’s first in-person visit with Osaka University after the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2022.

During the meeting, President NISHIO reflected on his visit to the University of Strasbourg in 2019 and the 15th-anniversary symposium of the academic exchange agreement that followed, expressing gratitude for the collaboration thus far. He also expressed his desire to expand cooperation beyond the field of science, in which there has already been academic exchange.

Prior to the meeting between the presidents, Professor Rémi Barillon (Vice-President), Dr. Michèle Forté (Director of the France-Japan University House), and Professor Yoichi NAKATANI (Chairman of Japan Committee) visited the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) on 24 April. Professor Kiyoshi TAKEDA (Director) and Professor Akihiko TAKAGI (Administrative Director) of IFReC welcomed them and had a productive discussion on their future collaboration.

The delegation of the University of Strasbourg and members of Osaka University

Vice-President Barillon also met with Professor Manabu TANAKA (Executive Vice President of Global Engagement), Professor Beverley Anne YAMAMOTO (Executive Vice President of International Affairs (Education)), Professor Takashi HAYASHI (Graduate School of Engineering), and Associate Professor Saori OBAYASHI (Center for Global Initiatives) after visiting IFReC. The meeting included presentations by Vice-President Barillon and Executive Vice President TANAKA, followed by discussions between all members.

It is anticipated that the meetings held over the course of the two days will lead to the further development of academic exchange between the universities.

Vice-President Barillon giving an overview of the University of Strasbourg

Executive Vice President TANAKA presenting to members of both universities