From November 25 to 29, 2024, Vice President Zhang led a delegation to Japan for academic exchanges with Kansai Gaidai University (KGU), Seikei University, and Showa Women’s University (SWU). The group included Liu Qin, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages (CFL); Li Ye, Deputy Director of the Japanese Department of CFL; and other staff members. The visit established new partnerships, explored future collaborative opportunities, and strengthened existing ties with these universities.
A Visit to KGU: Signing Cooperation Agreements
On November 26, the delegation was warmly received by Ms. Eiko Tanimoto, Chairperson and President of KGU. Vice President Zhang and President Tanimoto held extensive discussions on foreign language education reform, talent cultivation, and faculty-student exchanges, culminating in the signature of a series of cooperation agreements. Present at this meeting were Japanese faculty and administrative officials, Jin Weiwei, Director of the Asia Center, Makoto Yoshizaki, Deputy Director of the Asia Center, Ryudai Kitazoe, Section Chief of the Asia Center and Liu Jingru, Director of International Programs. The delegation toured the university’s campuses in Gotenyama and Nakamiya, visited its Tanimoto Memorial Hall, library and international student dormitories. Discussions also covered summer programs and student life on campus.
The Signing of Agreements
Talks before Meeting
An Exchange with Faculty Members of KGU
Exchange of Commemorative Gifts
A Visit to KGU
Visit Seikei University: Exploring Interdisciplinary Collaboration
On November 28, the delegation visited Seikei University, where they were welcomed by President Yuichi Mori. This visit was made possible by a visit by Yoshio Fukuda, dean of the Seikei Institute for International Studies (SIIS) to USST on September 24. Seikei University shares a similar architectural style and time-honored reputation with USST, with its name inspired by the Chinese proverb from historian Sima Qian (145—87 BCE), “Peach and plum trees do not talk, yet the world beats a path to them.” (symbolizing virtue that naturally attracts followers).
At this meeting, Japanese attendees included Megumi Kobayashi and Yoshio Fukuda, Co-Directors of SIIS; law professor Li Linjing, Takashi Matsuo, Executive Kacho and Yuko Suzuki, Program Coordinator. Both sides reached consensus in such fields as interdisciplinary collaboration , humanities-STEM integration, joint academic programs, and credit transfer. The delegation also toured the campus, library, and international student dormitories to witness the university’s global engagement strategies.
Talks before Meeting at SIIS
Talks with Top Administrators of Seikei University
Exchange of commemorative gifts
Group Photo
A visit to Seikei University
A Visit to SWU: Deepening Ties and Meeting USST Exchange Students
On November 29, Our school delegation visited Showa Women's University, one of the three famous women's universities in Japan. Vice President Zhang met with Tomoaki Ihara (Vice President), Aya Kondo (Director of Japanese Education Center), Masanobu Yamazaki (Director of International Exchange Center), and other officials to discuss graduate programs and summer sessions for undergraduates at USST
The delegation also met four exchange students studying at SWU. Accompanied by them, the group toured the picturesque campus, and Vice President Zhang extolled their academic dedication and achievements. Since establishing ties in 2018, USST has sent nearly 30 exchange students to the university.
An exchange with the leaders of SWU
Group photo
A visit to exchange students of CFL
Exchange of commemorative gifts
A visit to SWU
This visit strengthened USST’s partnerships with these universities, enhanced strategic alignment, and elevated the university’s global profile. It marked a significant step in fostering academic innovation and cultural exchange between China and Japan.
Relevant Background
Founded in 1945 in Osaka, Japan, Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) is a private university renowned as Japan’s largest foreign language institution. In terms of internationalization, KGU ranks first by Kansai high school students (2023), ahead of Kyoto University.
Situated in Musashino, Tokyo, Seikei University is a private, comprehensive university with a reputation for history and academic excellence. The university was officially established in 1949, but its founding can date back to 1906. It features multiple departments in economics, law, humanities, and STEM disciplines and has cultivated a cohort of famous alumni, such as Shinzo Abe, the 98th Prime Minister of Japan.
Founded in 1920 in Tokyo, Showa Women’s University (SWU) is a private women’s university dedicating to cultivating female leaders who contribute to societal progress. The data of Statistics Bureau of Japan shows that SWU achieved an employment rate of 95.9% for 2023 graduates, ranking first among Japanese women’s universities.
