As part of his inaugural visit to the University of Regensburg on 22 May, the Japanese Consul General in Munich since October 2023, Kenichi Bessho, informed himself about current developments at the UR, research and teaching activities related to Japan and international cooperation with Japanese partner universities.
In his presentation of the University of Regensburg, University President Prof Dr Udo Hebel discussed current developments as well as the various international collaborations between the UR and Japanese universities. The UR maintains institutional cooperation with 12 Japanese universities, whereby the cooperation with the University of Kanazawa is particularly pronounced: the lively mobility of students, the close research cooperation, the many years of trusting cooperation and finally the will of both universities to intensify this cooperation resulted in the joint decision to establish a strategic partnership on 6 June. The signing, which the Consul General was pleased to attend, took place during the visit of a delegation from Kanazawa. According to President Hebel, the cooperation with other Japanese institutions is also characterised by great reliability and stability, which is an essential basis for successful academic cooperation.
The Regensburg Vice President for Internationalisation and Diversity, Prof. Dr Ursula Regener, also referred to the importance of Japan as a partner with shared values and goals during the exchange. Examples of the successful cooperation include the Japanese courses offered by the Centre for Language and Communication (ZSK) for Regensburg students and the annual German summer courses for Japanese students at the UR, which arouse mutual interest in the language, country and culture, as well as in studying in the other country.
Foto: Julia Dragan