Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) of the University of Melbourne (Melbourne) visited Osaka University (OU) on 27 June 2023. Melbourne officially became a Global Knowledge Partner of OU with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a strategic partnership in June 2022.

From left to right: Prof. UMAKOSHI (Graduate School of Engineering Science), Regional Director FUJITA (ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives), Prof. KONDO (Center for International Education and Exchange), Executive Vice President YAMAMOTO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Wesley, Ms. Cheng, Assoc. Prof. Angkawidjaja (Center for Global Initiatives)

First, overviews of Melbourne’s and OU’s global strategies were provided, including an explanation of current initiatives from both sides. Through the presentations, Professor YAMAMOTO, Executive Vice President of International Affairs (Education), and Professor Wesley deepened their understanding of each other and acknowledged the existing collaborations such as a matching fund to hold joint workshops and a student program, the University of Melbourne Overseas Subjects (UMOS) that enables Melbourne students to study at OU.
They also discussed future collaboration and highlighted the importance of providing more opportunities for students to take courses abroad, including short-term mobility programs to foster their international outlook. In addition to mobility programs, Professor Wesley was intrigued by the online Virtual Study Abroad Program, proposed by OU as a potential educational collaboration. Online programs could be another link between Melbourne and OU in the future.
Through this meeting, both universities discovered new ways for deeper synergy and affirmed to cultivate and strengthen the partnership further.

Executive Vice President YAMAMOTO presenting to Melbourne members

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Wesley presenting to OU members