The Inaugural Hokkaido University Ambassadors and International Alumni Associations Meeting held
University News | June 20, 2019
Attendees of the meeting.
Hokkaido University held its inaugural meeting for Hokkaido University Ambassadors and Chairs of International Alumni Associations on Friday, June 14, 2019. It was attended by 13 ambassadors, partners and overseas alumni association chairs along with 23 Hokkaido University faculty and staff.
The Hokkaido University Ambassador and Partner system was launched in 2016 to build and extend the university’s global network through international student alumni and leaders in each country who are strongly associated with the university. As of today, the university has appointed 41 ambassadors and 132 partners in 36 countries and regions who play central roles to support the university’s international activities.
The ambassadors and partners have taken initiatives in various activities such as establishing alumni associations, participating in study-abroad fairs, and launching liaison offices in their countries. The meeting was held for the first time to exchange ideas and promote future developments.
The meeting started with opening remarks by the acting president of Hokkaido University Professor Masanori Kasahara, who expressed a warm welcome to all of the attendees. It was followed by a presentation by Professor So Kawanobe, Deputy Director of the Institute for International Collaboration, who shared the university’s recent developments in international research and educational programs.
Professor Christofora Hanny Wijaya from Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia, who was appointed Ambassador in 2016, then shared her challenges and achievements as an ambassador in her home country of Indonesia. She introduced a variety of activities by the Indonesian alumni association and liaison office established within the last few years.
Professor Christofora Hanny Wijaya sharing her experiences as an ambassador in Indonesia.
In the discussion session to follow, the participants made suggestions to further strengthen the university’s global network. Some suggested the necessity of a larger accommodation capacity for international students and their family members while others pointed out the importance of quality, particularly in relation to the programs the university can provide in the competitive international arena.
Some of the participants discussing how the university can build global networks.
The following lunch session was joined by current students of Hokkaido University. The students enjoyed speaking with the ambassadors, partners and alumni association leaders to learn about their experiences and how they developed their careers.
Professor So Kawanobe, in his closing remarks, expressed his appreciation to the attendees for the success of the meeting. The university plans to hold the meeting annually from now on.
Written by Naoki Namba
You can enjoy other photos of meeting at HUAP website’s Photo Gallery ->Annual Meeting for Hokkaido University Ambassadors & Chairs of the International Alumni Associations (June 14th, 2019)
