Kobe University and the National University of Mongolia Conduct Academic Exchange Promotion Program

A signing ceremony for an academic exchange agreement between Kobe University and the National University of Mongolia (NUM) took place on September 26, 2014 at NUM in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia. The ceremony was conducted as one of the core projects of the Center for Asian Studies, and an international symposium was also held.

The inter-university agreement with NUM was led by the Kobe University Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, together with the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies and the Graduate School of Humanities. Among the ceremony’s participants from NUM were President A. Galtbayar, Vice President D. Munkhbat, and Dean S. Battulga of the School of International Relations and Public Administration. Attending from Kobe University were Professor HAGIHARA Mamoru, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Professor OGAWA Keiichi, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Professor KAWAI Naruo and Professor PARK Jong Woo of the International Student Center. President Galtbayar discussed the current state of reform at NUM in particular its transition from an educational university to a research university. He also explained that in order to strengthen its research capabilities the university is promoting academic exchanges with foreign universities, especially with Japanese universities. President Galtbayar expressed his hopes for successful exchanges with Kobe University. From Kobe University, Professor Hagihara gave an overview of Kobe University and expressed the intention of proactively conducting mutual exchanges including student exchange. With the agreement in place, the two universities are expected to develop academic exchanges within the fields of research and education.

In the afternoon, an international symposium titled Research Cooperation between Japan and Mongolia was held. Among the presenters from NUM were Professor Munkhtsetseg Tangaa, Department of Asian Studies, Professor Battulga, School of International Relations and Public Administration, Instructor Oyunjargal, Department of History, Associate Professor Enkh-Amgalan, Economics Department, and Researcher Erdenebulgan, Economic Research Institute. They presented their research findings from various fields including international studies, history, economics and Japan studies, and also made a proposal for collaborative research. Attending from Kobe University were Professor Hagihara, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Professor Ogawa, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, and Doctoral candidate Ms. Cholmongerel, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies. They presented research in fields such as the history of Japan-Mongolian academic exchange, education economics, and history. Then, Director-general Mr. WADA Osamu, from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Beijing Office, which supported the symposium, introduced a support program for collaborative research between the two universities.

The symposium allowed participants to share the current status of their research. Based on this mutual understanding, a lively discussion with a view toward collaborative research took place. The symposium promises to be a fruitful event for future academic exchanges.

The kickoff meeting of the Kobe University Alumni Association in Mongolia took place the next day as part of the Academic Exchange Promotion Program. The activities of the alumni association, supporting academic exchanges between the two universities, are also highly anticipated.

(Center for Asian Studies, PARK Jong Woo)

pagetop

Copyright © Kobe University. All Rights Reserved.