The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2024 was held at Keio University Mita Campus from October 9 to 11. It was attended by EVP Toshiya Ueki and Professor Takako Izumi of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science.
This meeting of the vice presidents and directors responsible for promoting international exchange at APRU member universities is held every year, and the participants discuss APRU’s activities with respect to contributing to solving problems prevalent in the Pacific Rim region. This year’s meeting was held under the theme ‘Learning without Limits’, and 88 representatives from 44 universities participated.
On October 10, EVP Ueki took part in a session on ‘Learning without Limits, Perspectives from Japanese Universities’, appearing as a panelist alongside Keio University’s Vice-President Motohiro Tsuchiya and Kyushu University’s Vice President Natalie Konomi. They spoke about the common challenges facing Japanese universities, such as the declining birth rates and the need for internationalization, and also discussed issues facing all of Japanese society, including the widening economic gap, from the perspectives of universities in both major urban and regional areas. A number of questions were raised by the audience, and there was a great deal of interest in the challenges that Japanese society faces and the proposed solutions.
EVP Ueki spoke about the use of artificial intelligence in universities, pointing out its effectiveness in practical second-language learning lessons at Tohoku University. With regard to the challenges faced by universities in regional areas, he spoke about the unique appeal of such universities, mentioning that Sendai is known as a ‘city of academia’, and that it provides an ideal environment for students to concentrate on their studies and research.
On the following day, Professor Izumi, who serves as Program Director of the APRU Multi-Hazards Program, for which Tohoku University serves as the hub, took part in a panel discussion on the theme of ‘Impact in Education and APRU’s Programs’.
For your reference:
An article by APRU on the Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2024:
https://www.apru.org/news/learning-without-limits-silm-2024-sets-stage-for-crafting-of-future-strategies/
Information about the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU):
https://web.tohoku.ac.jp/ged/consortia-2/apru?lang=en
EVP Ueki with his two fellow panelists
The participants at this year’s meeting (Photo courtesy of APRU)
Contact:
Global Engagement Division, Tohoku University
Tel: 022-217-6182 / 5578
Email: kokusai-k@grp.tohoku.ac.jp