Osaka University Partner Summit

On 30 April, Prof. Jouke de Vries, Prof. Andrej Zwitter and UG students attended the Osaka University Partner Summit. The virtual event was hosted by Osaka to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Osaka University and the centenary of the Osaka University of Foreign Studies under the theme of The Role of Universities in Facing Societal Challenges and Recovering from COVID-19.

Prof. de Vries and the presidents of other five invited institutions (Mahidol University , Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University College London, University of British Columbia, and University of California Davis) shared their reflections on the role of international and local partnerships, intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration, and the engagement with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in addressing societal challenges and crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the event, the President of Osaka University, Prof. Shijiro Nishio, presented the content of the Joint Statement on Institutional Collaboration. The Statement was signed by the presidents of seven institutions (Osaka University, University of Groningen, Mahidol University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University College London, University of British Columbia, and University of California Davis) to share their joint vision for addressing societal challenges, contributing to local and global communities and engaging with SDGs through strategic collaboration in research and education.

Prof. Andrej Zwitter was invited to co-chair a Research Chairs session with Prof. Takuo Dome (Osaka University), and to share his insights on the importance of global partnerships in addressing grand challenges with a focus on collaborative research projects in the area of Sustainability.

The University of Groningen was also represented by our students who presented their ideas during the Student Voices session. Andreas Gassilloud (FSE) and Ka Yin Chan (Arts) participated in a student-initiated project to work with their peers from around the world on a joint vision for an inclusive and unified post-COVID-19 society.

Please follow the links to see the programme and a recording of the event.

For more information please contact Alicja Sobecka.